defenceless, defenseless, a.
(dɪˈfɛnslɪs)
1. Without defence; unguarded, unprotected.
| c 1530 Remedie of Love (R.), O ther disceit vnware and defencelesse. 1589 Warner Alb. Eng. v. xxvi. (R.), King Dermote..Was left defencelesse..And fled to England. 1667 Milton P.L. x. 815 That fear Comes thundring back with dreadful revolution On my defensless head. 1713 Lond. Gaz. No. 5149/3 It is a Place entirely Defenceless. 1740 Wesley Hymn, ‘Jesus, Lover of my soul’ ii, Cover my defenceless head With the shadow of Thy wing. 1755 Monitor No. 12 ¶10 In the murder of the innocent and defenceless. 1841 Borrow Zincali I. xi. 50 To attack or even murder the unarmed and defenceless traveller. |
† 2. Affording no defence or protection. rare.
| 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. iii. 811 Defenceless was the Shelter of the Ground. |
Hence deˈfencelessly adv., deˈfencelessness.
| a 1723 Bp. Fleetwood [according to Todd uses] Defencelessness. 1802 Paley Nat. Theol. xxvi. (R.), Defencelessness and devastation are repaired by fecundity. 1813 Shelley Q. Mab iv. 136 All liberty and love And peace is torn from its [the soul's] defencelessness. 1818 Todd, Defencelessly. 1824 Miss Mitford Village Ser. i. (1863) 9 His unprotectedness, his utter defencelessness. |