Obs. exc. dial. A contracted form of was not (cf. wasn’t). Now only used, in literature, in representations of dialectal or vulgar speech. Cf. ain’t, don’t, etc.
1702. Vanbrugh, False Friend, V. i. Who did you let in then? it wan’t your Master, sure?
1757. Foote, Author, Epilogue Wks. 1799, I. 129. Says Lady Bell … There wa’n’t a creature there.
