guardlessadj.
/ˈɡɑːdləs/, U.S. /ˈɡɑrdləs/ 1. Having no guard; undefended, unprotected; destitute of safeguards.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > danger > [adjective] > exposed to danger > vulnerable > unguarded
unwarneda1240
unwarda1325
unwarded1382
unkept?c1430
undefenced1451
unguardedc1602
guardless?1611
watchless1842
?1611 G. Chapman tr. Homer Iliads v. 146 His flocks left guardless.
1621 M. Wroth Countesse of Mountgomeries Urania 67 Fortune and your power, hath left me guardlesse.
1692 R. South 12 Serm. I. 366 A rich Land, guardless and undefended.
1715 M. Davies Εἰκων Μικρο-βιβλικὴ 241 Ever looking upon the self-guiding Spirit to be guardless and dangerous.
1726 A. Pope tr. Homer Odyssey V. xxii. 43 To your lust and spoil a guardless prey.
1819 G. Crabbe Tales of Hall I. viii. 203 Watching long the now confiding maid, He thought her guardless, and grew less afraid.
2. Off one's guard; incautious.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > carelessness > incautiousness > [adjective]
unwarec897
uncircumspect?1504
incircumspect1531
unwares1548
wareless1562
unwary1579
unwarning1609
incautelous1610
uncharya1616
uncautelous1628
uncanny1638
unguarded1640
uncautious1644
guardless1654
uncautioned1671
incautiousa1703
cautionless1792
unaware1817
1654 T. Gataker Disc. Apol. 2 His, as groundless, so still deserted, and least guardless, assertion.
1849 E. Bulwer-Lytton King Arthur viii. v The lone, unconscious, guardless modesty.
3. Of a sword: Having no guard.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > sharp weapon > side arms > sword > [adjective] > having no guard
crossless1490
guardless1882
1882 E. O'Donovan Merv Oasis I. ii. 30 The Georgian..with..guardless Caucasian sabre.
1887 T. Stevens Around World on Bicycle I. xvii. 404 They are armed with Circassian guardless swords and flint-lock horse-pistols.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.?1611