wench

[ wench ]

noun

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.

verb (used without object)

1. to associate, especially habitually, with promiscuous women.

wench

/ wɛntʃ /

noun

1. a girl or young woman, esp a buxom or lively one: now used facetiously
2. archaic.
   a female servant
3. archaic.
   a prostitute

verb

1. archaic.
   to frequent the company of prostitutes

Derived Forms

• ˈwencher, noun

Other Words From

• wencher noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of wench¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of wench¹

Old English wencel child, from wancol weak; related to Old High German wanchal, wankōn

Example Sentences

Was Gutenberg really in love with a wench named Helvetica, like in the show?

From New York Times

Until 2018, the Pirates of the Caribbean ride featured an auction block with women for sale under the sign: “Auction, take a wench for a bride.”

From Los Angeles Times

So while Landor quiets his demons in the arms of a tavern wench, it’s left to Poe to amuse us.

From New York Times

As BoingBoing notes, words that have been removed as solutions include “fibre,” “pupal,” “slave,” and “wench.”

From The Verge

It isn’t really fair to be an unpleasant wench all the time, just because I’m mad that I didn’t spend enough time writing, so … yeah, that poem.

From New York Times