Wil"der*ness (?), n. [OE. wildernesse,
wilderne,probably from AS. wildor a wild beast; cf. D.
wildernis wilderness. See Wilder, v.
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.
Wil"der*ness (?), n. [OE. wildernesse,
wilderne,probably from AS. wildor a wild beast; cf. D.
wildernis wilderness. See Wilder, v.
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.
