wilderness

Etymology

From Middle English wildernesse, wyldernys, of uncertain formation. Perhaps from Middle English wildern (“wilderness”) +‎ -ness; or from unattested Old English *wilddēornes; or from Old English wilddēoren (“wild, savage”) + -nes (“-ness”).

Compare Middle Dutch wildernisse ("wilderness"; > modern Dutch wildernis), German Wildnis (“wilderness”). Compare also Old English wilder, wildor (“wild beast”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈwɪl.də.nɪs/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈwɪl.dəɹ.nəs/

• Audio (US)

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Noun

wilderness (countable and uncountable, plural wildernesses)

1. An unsettled and uncultivated tract of land left in its natural state.