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wild
- 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 : desolate3 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, barbaric5: characteristic of, appropriate to, or expressive of wilderness, wildlife, or a simple or uncivilized society6 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>7of a playing card : able to represent any card designated by the holder
— wild·ish \ˈwī(-ə)l-dish\ adjective — wild·ness \-nəs\ noun
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