governlessadj.

1621 R. Montagu Diatribæ Hist. Tithes ii. ii. 368 These things were thus done as in a gouernlesse City, with all licentiousnesse.

1624 J. Smith Gen. Hist. Virginia v. 190 Because they would not be gouernlesse when his Deputiship was expired, there was a generall assembly, and by that Election Kendall was confirmed to succeed still Gouernor.

1830 G. P. R. James Hist. Chivalry vi. 99 The remembrance of the turbulent and governless realm from which they had first begun their march.

1987 A. Morgan J. Ramsay MacDonald vii. 198 The King congratulated the party leaders for ensuring that the country would not be left governless.

2000 Edmonton (Alberta) Jrnl. (Nexis) 19 Aug. a1 The influx of the..bank notes had created a steep rise in the cost of basic goods in the governless country [i.e. Somalia].

1679 Sir T. Browne Let. 28 Apr. in Wks. (1964) IV. 103 These are the sad ends of many dissolute & governelesse persons, who, if they bee of a sheepish temper, runne into melancholy or fatuity.

1826 E. Acton Poems 8 I have been where passionate hearts beat high.., And break with the wild intensity, Of governless feelings.

1842 W. G. Simms Beauchampe I. xix. 186 What a wild, governless imagination!

1857 P. St. G. Cooke Scenes & Adventures in Army i. ix. 67 Some of its governless, ambitious, and ever-restless youth had been unequal to a temptation to steal horses from their vagrant neighbors.

1962 J. Carleton Moonflower Vine 128 The boy was as governless as air! Clamp down on him, and he escaped like wind from a paper bag.

2010 Observer (Gladstone, Queensland) (Nexis) 18 Jan. 12 John Brumby's a decent bloke; however, he's..a captive of the Loopy Left and Governless Greens!