regardless, a.
(rɪˈgɑːdlɪs)
[f. regard n.]
1. a. Heedless, indifferent, careless, without regard of. † Also const. at, for, to.
| 1591 Spenser Muiopot. 384 He likest is to fall into mischaunce, That is regardles of his governaunce. 1667 Milton P.L. iii. 408 Regardless of the Bliss wherein hee sat. 1725 Mandeville Ess. Charity in Fab. Bees, etc. I. 305 Reprobate parents that take ill courses and are regardless to [1723 of] their children. 1743 Bulkeley & Cummins Voy. S. Seas Pref. 16 Indolent and regardless for the Preservation of the People. 1756 W. Toldervy Hist. 2 Orphans IV. 153 Would..the soldier be regardless at the thundering of cannon? 1784 Cowper Task ii. 775 Regardless of her charge, She needs herself correction. 1863 Geo. Eliot Romola xix, A man who had been openly regardless of religious rites. |
b. Without const. (Chiefly in attrib. use.)
| 1601 R. Yarington Two Lament. Trag. F ij b, Grim imperious death, Reguardlesse instrument of cruell fate. c 1695 J. Miller Descr. New York (1843) 7 The most part ignorant and conceited, fickle and regardless. 1718 Pope Iliad xvi. 659 What thoughts, regardless chief! thy breast employ? 1784 Cowper Task v. 350 You the regardless author of its woes. 1868 Whittier Among the Hills Prel. 78 Treading the May-flowers with regardless feet. |
c. ellipt. (passing into adv.) for ‘regardless of expense’ or ‘regardless of consequences’, used postpositively. orig. U.S. Phr. to press on regardless: see press v.1 14 a.
| 1872 ‘Mark Twain’ Roughing It xlvii. 334 We are going to get the thing [sc. a funeral] up regardless, you know. 1896 Advance (Chicago) 30 July 150 Miss Bond got herself up regardless, and came in resplendent in ruby velvet and white swansdown. 1898 J. D. Brayshaw Slum Silhouettes 40 Who do yer think is down 'ere, got up regardless? D'Arcy's mash, Daisy Chapman. 1911 H. Quick Yellowstone Nights xi. 289 We got a bulletin from his doctors and messages from him to rush S.F. 41144 to its passage, regardless, or he'd accept a bid he'd got for the Bottle Imp. 1920 W. J. Locke House of Baltazar xvii. 205 I've a jolly good mind to set him up regardless, like a pre-war nut. 1928 T. E. Lawrence Let. 16 Apr. (1938) 587, I thought some plutocrat publisher was backing you, regardless: the price he offered was so fantastic. 1928 E. O'Neill Strange Interlude ii. 58 Evans. (Blundering on regardless now.) I know it's hardly the proper time—. 1940 M. Dickens Mariana iii. 63 ‘It's a shilling. Is that too much?’ He laughed at her. ‘I told you—we're dining out regardless to-night.’ 1960 Observer 24 July 17/6 What a marvellous feeling when you find the boat is sailing on regardless. 1962 Listener 19 Apr. 687/2 The microphone picks everything up, and transmits it regardless. 1980 J. Scott Gospel Lamb vii. 103 San fairy anne, as the Frogs used to say. He was clobbered, regardless. |
2. Unregarded, slighted; unworthy of regard.
| a 1591 H. Smith Wks. (1867) I. 153 A precious head-tire, which all day is worn,..but at night that riches is laid aside, and the head muffled with some regardless tire. 1611 Speed Theat. Gt. Brit. (1614) 107/2 From a princely castle [it] is become no better then a regardlesse cottage. 1697 Congreve Mourn. Bride ii. ix, Zara..Is a regardless suppliant, now, to Osmyn. 1714 H. Grove Spect. No. 626 ¶7 They dazzle every one but the Possessor: To him that is accustomed to them they are cheap and regardless Things. 1853 G. Johnston Nat. Hist. E. Bord. I. 154 Producing a very pleasing and picturesque effect with materials, which, separately viewed, are of a mean and regardless character. |