| 1. | any uncultivated species of Avena, esp. a common weedy grass, A. fatua, resembling the cultivated oat. |
| 2. | a hardy plant, Uvularia sessilifolia, of the lily family, of eastern North America, having deep green, hairy leaves and greenish-yellow, tubular flowers. |
| 3. | sow one's wild oats, to have a youthful fling at reckless and indiscreet behavior, esp. to be promiscuous before marriage. |
sow one's wild oats
Behave foolishly, immoderately or promiscuously when young, as in Brad has spent the last couple of years sowing his wild oats, but now he seems ready to settle down. This expression alludes to sowing inferior wild oats instead of good cultivated grain, the verb sowing
that is, "planting seed"in particular suggesting sexual promiscuity. [Mid-1500s]