| Term | Definition |
|---|
| wanton | (adj) 1. done, shown, used, etc., maliciously or unjustifiably. 2. without regard for what is right, just, humane, etc.; careless; reckless. 3. sexually lawless or unrestrained; loose; lascivious; lewd. 4. extravagantly luxurious. (noun) 5. a wanton or lascivious person, esp. a woman. (verb) 6. to squander, esp. in pleasure (often fol. by away). |
| wastrel | (noun) 1. a wasteful person. 2. an idler or good-for-nothing. |
| wassail | (noun) 1. a salutation or toast given in drinking someone's health or as an expression of goodwill at a festivity. 2. the drink used in such toasting, commonly ale or wine spiced with roasted apples and sugar. 3. a festivity characterized by much drinking. (verb) 4. to drink to the health of; toast. |
| winnow | (verb) to free (grain) from the lighter particles of chaff, dirt, etc., esp. by throwing it into the air and allowing the wind or a forced current of air to blow away impurities. 2. to blow upon; fan. 3. to subject to some process of separating or distinguishing; analyze critically; sift. 4. to pursue (a course) with flapping wings in flying. (noun) 5. a device or contrivance used for winnowing. |
| xenophobe | (noun) a person who fears or hates foreigners, strange customs, etc. |
| yaw | (verb) 1. Nautical. to swerve off course momentarily or temporarily. 2. to turn about the vertical axis; used of an aircraft, spacecraft, or projectile. 3. to move unsteadily; weave. |
| yeoman | (noun) 1. a petty officer in a navy, having chiefly clerical duties in the U.S. Navy. 2. British. a farmer who cultivates his own land. (adj) 3. performed or rendered in a loyal, valiant, useful, or workmanlike manner, esp. in situations that involve a great deal of effort or labor. |
| Zeitgeist | (noun) German. the spirit of the time; general trend of thought or feeling characteristic of a particular period of time. |
| zenith | (noun) 1. the point on the celestial sphere vertically above a given position or observer. 2. a highest point or state; culmination. |
| zephyr | (noun) 1. a gentle, mild breeze. 2. Initial capital letter. Literary. the west wind. 3. any of various things of fine, light quality, as fabric, yarn, etc. |
| ziggurat | (noun) a temple tower of the ancient Assyrians and Babylonians, having the form of a terraced pyramid of successively receding stories |
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