n. [ OE. wildernesse, wilderne, probably from AS. wildor a wild beast; cf. D. wildernis wilderness. See Wilder, v. t. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
1. A tract of land, or a region, uncultivated and uninhabited by human beings, whether a forest or a wide, barren plain; a wild; a waste; a desert; a pathless waste of any kind. [ 1913 Webster ]
The wat'ry wilderness yields no supply. Waller. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. A disorderly or neglected place. Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]
3. Quality or state of being wild; wildness. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
These paths and bowers doubt not but our joint hands.
Will keep from wilderness with ease. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]