wilding

1
[ wahyl-ding ]

noun
  1. a wild apple tree.

  2. its fruit.

  1. any plant that grows wild.

  2. a plant, originally cultivated, that now grows wild; an escape.

  3. a wild animal.

adjective
  1. not cultivated or domesticated; wild.

Origin of wilding

1
First recorded in 1520–30; wild + -ing3

Words Nearby wilding

Other definitions for wilding (2 of 2)

wilding2

noun
  1. the practice by a group of youths of going on a random spree of violent criminal activity.

  2. an instance of this.

adjective
  1. of or relating to such criminal activity: wilding teens;a wilding attack.

Origin of wilding

2
First recorded in 1985–90; wild + -ing1

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use wilding in a sentence

  • An elegant gentleman was Mr. wilding, tall, and seeming even taller by virtue of his exceeding slenderness.

    Mistress Wilding | Rafael Sabatini
  • Had Mr. wilding been other than she now learnt he was, he would surely not cherish an attachment for a person so utterly unworthy.

    Mistress Wilding | Rafael Sabatini
  • But it seemed clear that it was connected with the Monmouth Cause, and it behoved Mr. wilding to discover what he could.

    Mistress Wilding | Rafael Sabatini
  • Mr. wilding set down at last the glass which he had continued to hold until that moment.

    Mistress Wilding | Rafael Sabatini
  • wilding proceeded thus of purpose set, and under the calm mask of his long white face his mind worked wickedly and deliberately.

    Mistress Wilding | Rafael Sabatini

British Dictionary definitions for wilding (1 of 2)

wilding

/ (ˈwaɪldɪŋ) /


noun
  1. an uncultivated plant, esp the crab apple, or a cultivated plant that has become wild

  2. a wild animal

  • Also: wildling

British Dictionary definitions for Wilding (2 of 2)

Wilding

/ (ˈwaɪldɪŋ) /


noun
  1. (Frederick) Anthony . 1883–1915, New Zealand tennis player; Wimbledon singles champion (1910–1913) and doubles champion (1907–08, 1910, 1913)

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