selvagem; criança/jovem indisciplinado; planta selvagem
1. A wild plant, especially one growing from a seed that has not been deliberately sown
The wildings in the abandoned garden had taken over the flower beds.
Os selvagens no jardim abandonado tinham tomado conta dos canteiros de flores.
2. A young person, especially a teenager, who behaves in a wild, reckless, or lawless manner
The wildings roamed the streets causing trouble in the neighborhood.
Os jovens indisciplinados vagavam pelas ruas causando problemas no bairro.
3. A wild or unruly creature or animal
The wilding horses had never been broken in.
Os cavalos selvagens nunca haviam sido domesticados.
4. In horticulture, a rootstock plant growing wild
The grafted tree was sustained by a strong wilding root system.
A árvore enxertada era sustentada por um forte sistema de raízes selvagens.
The term gained significant notoriety in the United States following the 1989 Central Park jogger case, where it was used to describe teenage gang violence. In Brazil and Portugal, the term is more commonly used in horticultural contexts to refer to wild plants or rootstocks, or informally to describe unruly youth. The word carries different connotations depending on context and region, ranging from botanical meaning to social commentary on youth behavior.
NYC Slang
In 1989 NYC crime context, referred to young perpetrators of gang violence (Central Park wilding case); more generally used in hip-hop culture to mean wild, uninhibited behavior
Related Idioms & Phrases
go wilding - to behave recklessly or engage in group violence
running wild - acting without restraint
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