Main Entry: ¹wild

Pronunciation: \ˈwī(-ə)ld\

Function: 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