wont

views updated May 17 2018

wont / wônt; wōnt/ • adj. poetic/lit. (of a person) in the habit of doing something; accustomed: he was wont to arise at 5:30 every morning.• n. (one's wont) formal or humorous one's customary behavior in a particular situation: Constance, as was her wont, had paid her little attention.• v. (3rd sing. present wonts or wont; past wont or wonted) archaic make or be or become accustomed: [tr.] wont thy heart to thoughts hereof | [intr.] sons wont to nurse their parents in old age.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

wont

views updated May 17 2018

wont1 accustomed, used. OE. ġewunod, pp. of (ġe)wunian dwell, continue, be accustomed or used = OS. wunon, wonon (Du. wonen), OHG. wonēn (G. wohnen) be accustomed, remain, dwell, ON. una be content in a place, enjoy, Goth. *wunan :- Gmc. *wunōjan, *wunæjan, f. *wun- *wen- *wan- (see WISH).

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

wont

views updated May 14 2018

won't / wōnt/ • contr. of will not.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

wont

views updated May 11 2018

won't (colloq.) will not. XVII. contr. of wonnot, assim. of wol not WILL2 not.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

wont

views updated Jun 11 2018

wont2 custom, habit. XIV (rare before XVI). of doubtful orig.; perh. due to a conflation of it is my wone (OE. ġewuna custom) and I am wont (see prec.).

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD