(un-, prefix1 affix 1. Cf. unshiftiness, n.)

Lacking in resource; incapable of shifting for oneself; hence, lazy, inefficient.

Without resources, powerless.

Having no resources in oneself; unable to help oneself; shiftless. (The ordinary current sense.)

Incapable of helping oneself. Obsolete.

Unable to achieve anything or provide for oneself without help from others.

Wanting substance, strength, or ‘sap’; weak, ineffective, both in a material and immaterial sense. Of grass: Wanting in succulence or nourishing…

Of a thing: valueless, futile, feeble. In later use chiefly of a person (or a person's actions or attributes): lacking vigour, energy, or capacity…

Without resource; lacking resources.

Destined to ill fortune, ill-fated, unlucky; hence unbusinesslike, incapable, worthless.

Of or concerning which there is no hope; despaired of, desperate. Also in weakened use: ineffectual, inadequate, unable to stand up for oneself…

Without fibres or fibre; without strength, nerveless.