colloq. contraction of woll not = will not (see WILL v.1 A. 6 b). Also (cf. DON’T, SHAN’T) as sb. = refusal.
1902. A. Ollivant, in Monthly Rev., Aug., 168. Already he was beginning to know the just value of a woman’s won’t, so he gave up the contest.
1911. B. Holland, Life Dk. Devonshire, I. xiii. 293. Hartington’s ‘won’t’ was stronger than his ‘will.’
b. In hyphened comb. with infins., forming sbs. (occas. adjs.), e.g., won’t-learn, one who refuses to learn; won’t-work; won’t-wait, that won’t wait.
1857. R. M. Ballantyne, Coral Islands, xxiv. People … who are sich born drivellin’ won’t-believers that they think [etc.].
1868. Furnivall, Babees Book, 200. John Russell lets off his won’t-learns very easily.
1904. Westm. Gaz., 20 Feb., 7/1. The ‘unemployables’ and the ‘won’t works’ are the recipients of most of the relief.
1909. Daily Chron., 8 April, 1/7. Won’t-wait agitators.
