adj., n., & v.
--adj.
1. licentious; lewd; sexually promiscuous.
2 capricious; random; arbitrary; motiveless (wanton destruction; wanton wind).
3 luxuriant; unrestrained (wanton profusion).
4 archaic playful; sportive (a wanton child).
--n. literary an immoral or licentious person, esp. a woman.
--v.intr. literary 1 gambol; sport; move capriciously.
2 (foll. by with) behave licentiously.
Derivatives:
wantonly adv. wantonness n.
Etymology: ME wantowen (wan- UN-(1) + towen f. OE togen past part. of teon discipline, rel. to TEAM)