The word "wilder" is spelled with an "e" at the end, despite the fact that the vowel sound is a short "i." This may seem counterintuitive, but it follows a common pattern in English spelling, where the letter "e" is often used to signal a change in the pronunciation of the preceding vowel. In this case, the IPA phonetic transcription of "wilder" is /ˈwaɪldər/, with the stress on the first syllable and the final "er" pronounced as a syllabic "r."
Wilder is a verb that refers to the act of making something or someone wild or untamed. It is commonly used to describe the process of causing a person, animal, or even a situation to become more unpredictable, unruly, or uncontrolled.
When something is wilder, it often means that it has become less domesticated or more natural in its behavior. For example, if a dog that has been trained to be docile and well-behaved suddenly starts exhibiting aggressive or disobedient behaviors, it can be said that it has become wilder.
The term can also be used metaphorically to describe the escalation or intensification of a situation. For instance, if conflicts or tensions between two parties increase and become more chaotic or disorderly, it would be described as growing wilder.
Furthermore, the word wilder can be used to convey the idea of immersing oneself in a wild or natural environment. It implies a sense of exploring or venturing into an untamed setting or embracing a more primal way of living.
Overall, wilder captures the essence of something becoming less controlled, more untamed, or displaying increased intensity. Whether it refers to an individual, an animal, or a situation, the term conveys the notion of movement away from conventional and controlled behavior towards a more unpredictable and primal state.
The word "wilder" comes from the Old English word "wildrian" or "wyldrian", which means "to become wild" or "to go astray". The term ultimately traces back to the Proto-Germanic root "wīlþrijaną", meaning "to lose one's way" or "to go astray". Over time, the word evolved and underwent various spelling changes, leading to the modern form "wilder". The term typically refers to the process of becoming untamed or uncontrolled, often describing vegetation or land that lacks cultivation.