See Also: wilderness(dictionary)
wilderness(dictionary)
Wilderness, Battle of the(encyclopedia)
wilderness area(dictionary)
Tarkine Wilderness(tourism)
Tasmanian Wilderness(tourism)

wilderness (iou)



wilderness noun.
[Old English wild(d)eornes, from wil(d)deor WILD DEER + -NESS.]
Land which is wild, uncultivated, and inhabited only by wild animals; a wild, uncultivated, or uninhabited region. OE.
J. Purseglove Wildernesses of scattered birch, where adders sun themselves among the fern. Backpacker Despite..pressures from developers, the park service has kept the wilderness intact.
b. Part of a large garden or park, planted so as to give an uncultivated or bewilderingly wild appearance, often laid out as a maze. M17.
fig. Anything compared to a wild or desolate region, or in which one wanders or becomes lost or lonely; arch. (Theology) the present world or life as contrasted with the afterlife. ME.
in the wilderness [with allus. to Numbers 14:33] (a) (of a politician, political party, etc.) out of office; (b) gen. unregarded, out of favour. voice in the wilderness [with allus. to Matthew 3:3 etc.] an unheeded advocate of reform.
Bunyan As I walk'd through the wilderness of this world. M. Foot Would he not be left to roam the political wilderness.
Wildness, uncultivated condition. Also fig. (rare, Shakes.), wildness of character, licentiousness. LME-M17.
transf. Any wild or desolate area or expanse. L16.
Byron This blue wilderness of interminable Air.
A mingled or confused collection of things or (rare) people. L16.
Dickens The wilderness of masts on the river, and..steeples on the shore. D. Lodge That wilderness of factories and warehouses.