Sc. and north. Also 8–9 wastrie. [f. WASTE v. + -(E)RY.] Reckless extravagance, esp. in living; wastefulness; also, an act or case of wastefulness.
1645. Rutherford, Tryal & Tri. Faith, xix. 184. The same very fault and sin of wastry, that is inherent in the broken bankrupt.
1661. R. Baillie, in Lauderdale Papers (Camden), I. 96. Through his wastery, hes left … in debt.
1786. Burns, Twa Dogs, 64. Yet ev’n the ha’ folk fill their peghan Wi’ sauce, ragouts, an’ sic like trashtrie, That’s little short o’ downright wastrie.
1830. Fraser’s Mag., I. 340. How is a nation to be converted from extravagance to frugality, when the intent and purpose of all men’s minds and endeavours is to foster this wonderful wastery.
1863. ‘Holme Lee,’ A. Warleigh, III. 247. He was a gentleman born, but he’d ruined himself wi’ gambling an’ wastry.
1893. Stevenson, Catriona, xxviii. My disposition has always been opposed to wastery.
b. Waste of (what is specified).
1830. Galt, Lawrie T., III. xiv. I thought with myself … what a wastrie of time was caused by the inconsiderate talk of uninformed men.
1900. B. Kirkby, Granite Chips, 41 (E. D. D.). It was fair weastry o’ ink an’ time.
