WENCH

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does wench mean? 

• WENCH (noun)
  The noun WENCH has 1 sense:

1. informal terms for a (young) woman

  Familiarity information: WENCH used as a noun is very rare.

• WENCH (verb)
  The verb WENCH has 1 sense:

1. frequent prostitutes

  Familiarity information: WENCH used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• WENCH (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Informal terms for a (young) woman

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

bird; chick; dame; doll; skirt; wench

Hypernyms ("wench" is a kind of...):

fille; girl; miss; missy; young lady; young woman (a young female)

• WENCH (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they wench    ... he / she / it wenches   
Past simple: wenched   
Past participle: wenched   
-ing form: wenching   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Frequent prostitutes

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "wench" is one way to...):

fornicate (have sex without being married)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Derivation:

wencher (someone who patronizes prostitutes)

 Context examples 

The wench must be willing, or the man must be standing up against me, else, by these ten finger bones! either were safe enough for me.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He is usually governed by a decayed wench, or favourite footman, who are the tunnels through which all graces are conveyed, and may properly be called, in the last resort, the governors of the kingdom.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

By my soul! from Limoges to Navarre, who was there who would kiss a wench or cut a throat as readily as bowman Aylward of Hawkwood's company?

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

See the wench with the brown whimple!

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“I be the milking wench o' fairmer Arnold, and he be as kind a maister as heart could wish.”

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Behind him his serving wench, her blue whimple over her head, and one hand thrust forth to bear the lanthorn which threw a golden bar of light along her master's path.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

First he must be a monk forsooth, and all because a wench was wise enough to turn her back on him.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

'Tis true that a French wench took it all off Peter as quick as the Frenchman paid it; but what then? By the twang of string! it would be a bad thing if money was not made to be spent; and how better than on woman—eh, ma belle?

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“Do you keep your spoon in your own broth. I rede you to go on your way, lest worse befall you. This little wench has come with me and with me she shall bide.”

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Certes, if mortal man might control God's mercy, it would be one of a lofty and God-like life, and not one who is decked out with rings and chains and silks, like a pleasure-wench at a kermesse.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)