I. ˈwī(-ə)ld adjective
Etymology: Middle English wilde, from Old English; akin to Old High German wildi wild, Welsh gwyllt
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : living in a state of nature and not ordinarily tame or domesticated
wild ducks
b.
(1) : growing or produced without human aid or care
wild honey
(2) : related to or resembling a corresponding cultivated or domesticated organism
c. : of or relating to wild organisms
the wild state
2.
a. : not inhabited or cultivated
wild land
b. : not amenable to human habitation or cultivation ; also : desolate
3.
a.
(1) : not subject to restraint or regulation : uncontrolled ; also : unruly
(2) : emotionally overcome
wild with grief
also : passionately eager or enthusiastic
was wild to own a toy train — J. C. Furnas
b. : marked by turbulent agitation : stormy
a wild night
c. : going beyond normal or conventional bounds : fantastic
wild ideas
also : sensational
d. : indicative of strong passion, desire, or emotion
a wild gleam of delight in his eyes — Irish Digest
4. : uncivilized , barbaric
5. : characteristic of, appropriate to, or expressive of wilderness, wildlife, or a simple or uncivilized society
6.
a. : deviating from the intended or expected course
wild spelling — C. W. Cunnington
the throw was wild
also : tending to throw inaccurately
a wild pitcher
b. : having no basis in known or surmised fact
a wild guess
7. of a playing card : able to represent any card designated by the holder
• wild·ish ˈwī(-ə)l-dish adjective
• wild·ness -nəs noun
II. noun
Date: 13th century
1. : a sparsely inhabited or uncultivated region or tract : wilderness
2. : a wild, free, or natural state or existence
III. adverb
Date: circa 1562
: in a wild manner: as
a. : without regulation or control
plants that grow wild
b. : off an intended or expected course