wench
[ wench ]
/ wɛntʃ /
noun
a country lass or working girl: The milkmaid was a healthy wench.
Usually Facetious. a girl or young woman.
Archaic. a strumpet.
verb (used without object)
to associate, especially habitually, with promiscuous women.
Nearby words
wen, wen-yen, wena, wenatchee, wenceslaus, wench, wenchow, wenckebach period, wend, wend one's way, wendell
Origin of wench
1250–1300; Middle English, back formation from wenchel, Old English wencel child, akin to wancol tottering, said of a child learning to walk; akin to German wankeln to totter
Related forms
wench·er, nounCan be confused
wench winchDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for wench
British Dictionary definitions for wench
wench
/ (wɛntʃ) /
noun
a girl or young woman, esp a buxom or lively one: now used facetiously
archaic a female servant
archaic a prostitute
verb (intr)
archaic to frequent the company of prostitutes
Derived Forms
wencher, nounWord Origin for wench
Old English wencel child, from wancol weak; related to Old High German wanchal, wankōn
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012