Wantynge

Part of speech: verb, noun

Definitions

1. Absent or deficient in some necessary quality or part ; an archaic sense meaning feeling a strong desire for something one does not have
2. Not present or insufficient in a particular respect ; in older English, having an earnest yearning or craving for something
3. Lacking something that is needed or expected ; in Middle English usage, experiencing a longing or eager wish for a thing

Etymology: Much of English's vocabulary for absence and need came from Old Norse, and this word is one example. The "-ynge" ending is the Middle English form of the present participle "-ing," attached to the verb "wanten," meaning to lack or be short of something. That verb most likely comes from Old Norse "vanta," "to be lacking," borrowed through contact with Scandinavian speakers in northern England. The participle later shifted from describing a state of lacking to working as a preposition meaning "without" or "except." That change from a verb form to a grammatical tool is the most unexpected step in its history.