conscienceless, a.
(ˈkɒnʃənslɪs)
[f. as prec. + -less.]
Devoid of conscience, conscientious scruples, or moral sense; characterized by habitual disregard of conscience or of moral law.
| a 1420 Hoccleve De Reg. Princ. 23 Whan I was yonge, I was fulle recheles..And amonge other conscienceles. 1583 Babington Commandm. vi. (1637) 54 As did the Judges of Susanna, and as many consciencelesse men in these dayes doe. a 1600 Hooker Eccl. Pol. vii. xxiv. §7 Conscienceless and wicked patrons. 1606 Bp. Hall Medit. ii. §77 Riches come seldom easily, to a good man; seldom hardly, to the conscienceless. 1881 A. M. Fairbairn Stud. Life Christ xiii. 222 A seared and conscienceless ruffian. |
b. transf. of actions, etc.
| 1588 Allen Admon. 24 By which Machivelian, godlesse, and consciencelesse course. 1623 R. Bernard Look beyond Luther Ep. Ded. 3 A iust punishment..for their consciencelesse liuing. 1883 American VII. 187 The stigma of conscienceless policy. |
Hence ˈconsciencelessly adv., ˈconsciencelessness.
| a 1603 T. Cartwright Confut. Rhem. N.T. (1618) 694 So securely and consciencelesly to passe by the least of Gods commandements. 1882 Spectator 22 Apr. 522 [It] shows the..consciencelessness of the Secret Committee. |