I. adjective
Etymology: from present participle of want (II)
1. : not present : not being in evidence : absent
seed plants are totally wanting there — R.E.Coker
2.
a. : not being up to standards or expectations
I cannot feel that even the programs I find wanting are all of low quality — Gilbert Seldes
b. : lacking in natural or required ability or capacity : deficient
a candidate tested and found wanting
wanting in common sense
c. chiefly dialect : mentally defective
“What does Amen mean?” was always asked of the youngest Todd child, who was, poor boy, wanting — Margaret Deland
3. obsolete : being in need : destitute
II. preposition
Etymology: from present participle of want (II)
1. : not with : without
a book wanting a cover
2. : less , minus
a month wanting two days