chargelessadj.
/ˈtʃɑːdʒlɪs/ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > charges > freedom from charge > [adjective]
shot-freelOE
freea1225
costless1509
scot-free1542
free cost1586
chargeless1599
cost-free1602
gratuitous1656
gratis1659
pro deo1856
comp1875
tariffless1891
uncharged1894
buckshee1915
freebie1937
mahala1977
value-added1982
1599 T. Moffett Silkewormes 71 How easie and chargelesse a thing it is to keepe silkworms.
1612 Bp. J. Hall Contempl. I. ii. v. 119 Worldlings..which could be content to doe God chargelesse seruice?
1691 T. Hale Acct. New Inventions 25 So certain, speedy and chargeless an Expedient.
1702 C. Mather Magnalia Christi vii. iii. 21/1 The ministers..have..at their own united Expences, employ'd certain Ministers of the Gospel, to make a Chargeless tender of Preaching..among them.
2. Without a (clerical or pastoral) charge.
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > church government > member of the clergy > priest > kinds of priest > [adjective] > without a charge or flock
chargeless1839
flockless1843
1839 T. Carlyle Chartism x. 112 Briefless Barristers, chargeless Clergy.
1886 Chicago Advance 21 Oct. 665 Every pastorless church and chargeless pastor.
3. Not loaded. (rare.)
ΚΠ
1881 E. H. Hunt Children at Jerusalem 80 In his hand he held his father's chargeless pistol.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1889; most recently modified version published online September 2021).
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adj.1599