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thout anything; absence or scarcity of what is needed or desired; deficiency; lack; as, a want of power or knowledge for any purpose; want of food and clothing. And me, his parent, would full soon devour For want of other prey. Milton. From having wishes in consequence of our wants, we often feel wants in consequence o…

That which is wanting; deficiency.

Absent; lacking; missing; also, deficient; destitute; needy; as, one of the twelve is wanting; I shall not be wanting in exertion.

Having no want; abundant; fruitful.

disciplined; unrestrained; hence, loose; free; luxuriant; roving; sportive. "In woods and wanton wilderness." Spenser. "A wild and wanton herd." Shak. A wanton and a merry [friar]. Chaucer. [She] her unadorned golden tresses wore Disheveled, but in wanton ringlets waved. Milton. How does your tongue grow wanton in her…

To behave wantonly; to frolic; to wanton. [R.] Lamb.

In a wanton manner; without regularity or restraint; loosely; sportively; gayly; playfully; recklessly; lasciviously.

The quality or state of being wanton; negligence of restraint; sportiveness; recklessness; lasciviousness. Gower. The tumults threatened to abuse all acts of grace, and turn them into wantonness. Eikon Basilike. Young gentlemen would be as sad as night Only for wantonness. Shak.

Failing or diminishing trust; want of trust or confidence; distrust. [Obs.] Chaucer.

One destitute of wit or sense; a blockhead; a fool. [Obs.] Shak.

A surcingle, or strap of leather, used for binding a load upon the back of a beast; also, a leather tie; a short wagon rope. [Prov. Eng.]

A small lemuroid mammal (Arctocebus Calabarensis) of Africa. It has only a rudimentary tail.

The defendant in replevin, who avows the distress of the goods, and justifies the taking. Cowell.

Missing; wanting. [Prov. Scot. & Eng.] Sir W. Hamilton.

The name used by the Algonquin Indians for the shell beads which passed among the Indians as money.

Plea in abatement, (Law), plea to the effect that from some formal defect (e.g. misnomer, want of jurisdiction) the proceedings should be abated.

A pathological condition opposite to that of irritation; debility; want of strength; asthenia.

Want; destitution; withdrawal. "In the absence of conventional law." Kent.

To endure; to abide. [Obs.] But nought that wanteth rest can long aby. Spenser.

Whatever supplies a want or affords ease, refreshment, or convenience; anything furnished which is desired or needful; -- often in the plural; as, the accomodations -- that is, lodgings and food -- at an inn. Sir W. Scott.