mightless, a. Now arch.
(ˈmaɪtlɪs)
[f. might n. + -less.]
Without might; impotent; powerless.
| c 1175 Lamb. Hom. 111 He..bið swa mihtles on his modes streche þet [etc.]. c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 280 Priue pride in pes es nettille in herbere, Þe rose is myghtles, þe nettille spredis ouer fer. c 1450 Myrc Festial 55 Þys vnycorn..layth hys hed yn hur barme, myghtles without strengthe: and soo ys taken. 1553 Becon Reliques of Rome (1563) 172 b, Olde people y{supt} bene myghtlesse, weake, and impotente. a 1584 Montgomerie Cherrie & Slae 305 Baith sichtles, and michtles, I grew almaist at ainis. 1887 Morris Odyss. x. 521 Utter thou thy praying to the mightless heads of the dead. 1888 Ibid. xviii. 130 There is nought more mightless than man of all that Earth doth breed. |
b. Const. inf.
| 1340–70 Alex. & Dind. 74 Þat may not be graunted Of me, þat miȝhteles am my silf so to kepe. a 1450 Myrc Festial 82 Old men passed age and myghtles to fast. 1598 Sylvester Du Bartas ii. ii. ii. Babylon 125 Might-lesse our selves to succour, or advise. |