Wench — (w[e^]nch), n. [OE. wenche, for older wenchel a child, originally, weak, tottering; cf. AS. wencle a maid, a daughter, wencel a pupil, orphan, wincel, winclu, children, offspring, wencel weak, wancol unstable, OHG. wanchol; perhaps akin to E.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
wench´er — wench «wehnch», noun, verb. –n. 1. a girl or young woman. 2. a) a woman servant: »a kitchen wench. b) any girl considered as belonging to the class of workers or peasants: »a buxom country wench. 3. Archaic. a wanton woman. –v.i. to seek out and… … Useful english dictionary
wench — [wench] n. [ME wenche, contr. < wenchel, child, boy, girl, young woman < OE wencel, a child, akin to wancol, unsteady (? in reference to an infant s gait): for IE base see WINCH] 1. a girl or young woman: now a derogatory or jocular term 2 … English World dictionary
Wench — (w[e^]nch), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Wenched} (w[e^]ncht); p. pr. & vb. n. {Wenching}.] To frequent the company of wenches, or women of ill fame. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
wench — wench·er; wench; … English syllables
wench — [wentʃ] n [Date: 1200 1300; Origin: wenchel child (11 14 centuries), from Old English wencel] old use a girl or young woman, especially a servant … Dictionary of contemporary English
wench — [ wentʃ ] noun count 1. ) an old word for a young woman, often a servant a ) an old word for a woman who is a prostitute (=someone who has sex for money) 2. ) an offensive or humorous word for a woman … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
wench — ► NOUN archaic or humorous ▪ a girl or young woman. ORIGIN abbreviation of obsolete wenchel «child, servant, prostitute» … English terms dictionary
wench — This old fashioned word for a girl or woman would probably only be used jokingly in modern times, though from the sixteenth century it was commonly used as an endearment to a man’s wife, daughter, or sweetheart. In the Shakespeare plays… … A dictionary of epithets and terms of address
wench — wencher, n. /wench/, n. 1. a country lass or working girl: The milkmaid was a healthy wench. 2. Usually facetious. a girl or young woman. 3. Archaic. a strumpet. v.i. 4. to associate, esp. habitually, with promiscuous women. [1250 1300; ME, back… … Universalium
