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Webster 1913 Edition

Wilderness

Wil′der-ness

,
Noun.
[OE.
wildernesse
,
wilderne
,probably from AS.
wildor
a wild beast; cf. D.
wildernis
wilderness. See
Wilder
,
Verb.
T.
]
1.
A tract of land, or a region, uncultivated and uninhabited by human beings, whether a forest or a wide, barren plain; a wild; a waste; a desert; a pathless waste of any kind.
The wat’ry
wilderness
yields no supply.
Waller.
2.
A disorderly or neglected place.
Cowper.
3.
Quality or state of being wild; wildness.
[Obs.]
These paths and bowers doubt not but our joint hands.
Will keep from
wilderness
with ease.
Milton.

Webster 1828 Edition

Wilderness

WILDERNESS

,
Noun.
[from wild.]
1.
A desert; a tract of land or region uncultivated and uninhabited by human beings, whether a forest or a wide barren plain. In the United States, it is applied only to a forest. In Scripture, it is applied frequently to the deserts of Arabia. The Israelites wandered int he wilderness forty years.
2.
The ocean.
The watry wilderness yields no supply.
3.
A state of disorder. [Not in use.]
4.
A wood in a garden, resembling a forest.

Definition 2024

wilderness

wilderness

English

Noun

wilderness ‎(uncountable)

  1. An unsettled and uncultivated tract of land left in its natural state.

Derived terms

Translations

External links

Etymology

From Middle English wildernesse, wyldernys, of uncertain formation. Perhaps from Middle English wildern ‎(“wilderness”) +‎ -ness; or from unattested Old English *wilddēornes; or from Old English wilddēoren ‎(“wild, savage”) + -nes ‎(“-ness”).

Compare Middle Dutch wildernisse ("wilderness"; > modern Dutch wildernis), German Wildnis ‎(“wilderness”). Compare also Old English wilder, wildor ‎(“wild beast”).

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈwɪl.də.nɪs/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈwɪl.dəɹ.nəs/

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