— weanedness /wee"nid nis, weend"-/ , n.
/ween/ , v.t.
1. to accustom (a child or young animal) to food other than its mother's milk; cause to lose the need to suckle or turn to the mother for food.
2. to withdraw (a person, the affections, one's dependency, etc.) from some object, habit, form of enjoyment, or the like: The need to reduce had weaned us from rich desserts.
3. wean on , to accustom to; to familiarize with from, or as if from, childhood (usually fol. by on ): a brilliant student weaned on the classics; suburban kids weaned on rock music.
[ bef. 1000; ME wenen, OE wenian; c. D wennen, G gewöhnen, ON venja to accustom ]