n. [ OE. wastour, OF. wasteor, gasteor. See Waste, v. t. ] [ 1913 Webster ] 1. One who, or that which, wastes; one who squanders; one who consumes or expends extravagantly; a spendthrift; a prodigal. [ 1913 Webster ] He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. Prov. xviii. 9. [ 1913 Webster ] Sconces are great wasters of candles. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. An imperfection in the wick of a candle, causing it to waste; -- called also a thief. Halliwell. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. A kind of cudgel; also, a blunt-edged sword used as a foil. [ 1913 Webster ] Half a dozen of veneys at wasters with a good fellow for a broken head. Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ] Being unable to wield the intellectual arms of reason, they are fain to betake them unto wasters. Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ] |