GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Wean , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Weaned ; p. pr. & vb. n. Weaning.] [OE. wenen, AS. wenian, wennan, to accustom; akin to D. wennen, G. gewöhnen, OHG. giwennan, Icel. venja, Sw. vänja, Dan. vænne, Icel. vanr accustomed, wont; cf. AS. āwenian to wean, G. entwöhnen. See Wont, a.]
   1913 Webster
   To accustom and reconcile, as a child or other young animal, to a want or deprivation of mother's milk; to take from the breast or udder; to cause to cease to depend on the mother nourishment.
   1913 Webster
   And the child grew, and was weaned; and Abraham made a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned.
   Gen. xxi. 8.
   
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   Hence, to detach or alienate the affections of, from any object of desire; to reconcile to the want or loss of anything. “Wean them from themselves.”
   Shak.
   
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   The troubles of age were intended . . . to wean us gradually from our fondness of life.
   Swift.
   
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2.       
   Wean, n. A weanling; a young child.
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   I, being but a yearling wean.
   Mrs. Browning.
   
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