Wenched

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To have consorted or engaged intimately with someone, typically in a casual or illicit manner
2. To have pursued a romantic or sexual relationship, often implying a lack of seriousness
3. To have acted in a way that denotes a liaison, especially one that may be frowned upon socially

Etymology: In Old English, "wenċel" meant "child," with no reference to sex, and it could also mean a servant or even a slave. Its modern form is a shortened version of the Middle English "wenchel," and over the medieval centuries the sense narrowed from children and maidens to serving women, sweethearts, and finally mistresses and prostitutes. Its roots lie in a Proto-Germanic verb meaning "to sway" or "waver," which is also the source of Old High German "wenken," meaning "to give way." The verb was formed from the noun, so "wenched" is the past tense of that verb. It describes keeping company with such women casually or illicitly. The early sense of a plain child or servant has disappeared, leaving only the disreputable connotation.