wanting

comparative more wanting · superlative most wanting

1. That wants or desires.
2. Absent or lacking.

   Discal black dot small or wanting. Transverse posterior line reduced to two dotlets or altogether wanting.

   1902, Proceedings: Entomological papers, volumes 25-26, United States National Museum, page 201

   2 more examples

   Already Cæſar Has ravaged more than half the Globe, and ſees Mankind grown thin by his deſtructive Sword: Should he go further, Numbers would be wanting To form new Battels, and ſupport his Crimes.

   1712 (date written), [Joseph] Addison, Cato, a Tragedy. […], London: […] J[acob] Tonson, […], published 1713, →OCLC, Act I, scene i, page 1

   […] but where other powers of entertainment are wanting, the true philosopher will derive benefit from such as are given.

   1813, Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, Modern Library Edition, published 1995, page 171

3. Deficient.

   Kate felt privileged to have been permitted to speak through it and she was glad that, as before, she had been judged and not found wanting

   1993, Dana Stabenow, Dead in the Water, →ISBN, page 151

1. Without, except, but.
2. Less, short of, minus.

1. gerundparticiplepresentpresent participle and gerund of want

plural wantings

1. countableuncountableThe state of wanting something; desire.

   Choice occurs only when we experience a conflict of wantings.

   2004, Joseph H. Casey S.J., Life, Love, and Sex