Comparative form of wild, meaning more wild or untamed. As a verb, means to cause to lose one's way or become confused.
From Old English wilde (untamed, natural) with the comparative suffix -er. The verb form developed in the 16th century, meaning to lead astray or bewilder. Related to Dutch wild and German wild, all from Proto-Germanic wilthijaz.
The verb 'wilder' gave us 'wilderness' and 'bewildered', showing how getting lost in wild places became a metaphor for mental confusion. Interestingly, 'wilder' as a surname often indicated someone who lived in or near wild, uncultivated land.
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