What does wench mean?

Answer 1

wench n.

1. A young woman or girl, especially a peasant girl.

2. A woman servant.

3. A wanton woman.

intr.v. wenched, wench·ing, wench·esTo consort or engage in sex with wanton women. Used of a man.

Answer 2

Shakespeare's language was English, and "wench" is still good English, although less common than it was in Shakespeare's day. It means a young woman. Nowadays it might have a connotation of being low by birth or of dubious character, but it had no such connotations in Shakespeare's day. Boyet in Love's Labour's Lost calls the Princess of France a "wench" and Lucio calls Isabella a "wench" in Measure for Measure and she is a novice nun. Nor was it an insult: people (like Titus Andronicus or Charmian) call their children wenches and Cressida uses it to describe herself. Far from being insulting, it was quite an affectionate word when used by Shakespeare.

Answer 3

He had half a mind to chat up the serving wench. She is no lady, she is nowt but a lowly wench. Make hay with the wench but don't make the mistake of taking her for a wife.