Wast"er (?), n. [OE. wastour, OF. wasteor, gasteor. See Waste, v. t.]

1.

One who, or that which, wastes; one who squanders; one who consumes or expends extravagantly; a spendthrift; a prodigal.

He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. Prov. xviii. 9.

Sconces are great wasters of candles. Swift.

2.

An imperfection in the wick of a candle, causing it to waste; -- called also a thief.

Halliwell.

3.

A kind of cudgel; also, a blunt-edged sword used as a foil.

Half a dozen of veneys at wasters with a good fellow for a broken head. Beau. & Fl.

Being unable to wield the intellectual arms of reason, they are fain to betake them unto wasters. Sir T. Browne.

 

© Webster 1913.