issuelessadj.
/ˈɪʃ(j)uːləs/, /ˈɪsjuːləs/, U.S. /ˈɪʃ(j)uləs/ 1. Without offspring; childless. Cf. issue n. 5a. Now chiefly Indian English.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > kinsman or relation > parent > parenthood > [adjective] > childless
childlessc1175
daughterlessc1300
childrenlessa1387
bairnlessa1400
sonlessa1425
issueless1447
childerless1549
orb1607
unchilded1610
babyless1852
1447 O. Bokenham Lives of Saints (Arun.) (1938) l. 1555 Whan ely issules his lyf dede fyne.
1559 W. Baldwin et al. Myrroure for Magistrates George Plantagenet lxxvi Lionell king Edwardes childe, Both uncle and haire to Richard yssulesse.
1595 H. Chettle Piers Plainnes Prentiship sig. B3v If both he and she depart issulesse, he hath bequeathed the Kingdome to the election of the State.
1605 T. Heywood If you know not Me sig. A4v Shees next Successiue, should your maiesty Dye yssules, which heauen defend.
1651 T. Randolph et al. Hey for Honesty ii. iii. 12/2 Some gib'd Cat that died issuelesse, has adopted thee for her Heire.
1701 tr. Present State Europe Feb. 64 The Death of an Issueless Monarch.
1791 Gentleman's Mag. Oct. 924/1 Both had two sons and one daughter, and both their daughters issueless.
1825 Gentleman's Mag. Apr. 305/2 Babington Whatton had a son William, who had several children: William, and Babington, who died issueless.
1885 J. C. Jeaffreson Real Shelley I. 20 His father..surviving his eldest and issueless son by some six years.
1905 Biometrika 4 274 This excess of antenuptial conception in the lower age group must amply account for the slightly higher proportion of issueless wives in the group under 25.
1939 Hindustan Times 7 June 10/2 A well-settled Muslim virgin or rich issueless widow, below 25.
2002 Sunday Times of India 22 Sept. (Matrimonials) 1/1 Mumbai issueless divorcee, seeks very attractive, slim, convented, cosmopolitan, caring bride.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > uselessness > uselessness, vanity, or futility > [adjective] > useless or unproductive
fruitless1340
unfructuousc1380
unfruitous1382
unfruitfula1400
barren1549
blanka1556
effectless1594
issueless1611
infructuous1615
sterile1642
thorny ground1657
unproductivea1676
infructuose1727
resultless1832
irresultive1850
unresultive1850
unprocreant1851
1611 J. Speed Hist. Great Brit. ix. viii. 492/1 This Ambassage was not onely thus issuelesse, but produced also effects tending to further irritation.
1645 T. Coleman Hopes Deferred 15 These purposes of mischiefe are either issulesse, or damagefull.
1810 Antijacobin Rev. & True Churchman's Mag. Sept. 63 Those vexatious and issueless questions that took their origin from the schools.
1862 S. Lucas Secularia 89 The invention of printing was as yet issueless.
3. Not characterized by or involving serious (esp. political) matters or questions.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > assent > [adjective] > having no issue at stake or nothing to argue about
issueless1897
1897 Voice (N.Y.) 11 Nov. 4/5 Issueless great parties is the condition that confronts us to-day in the political world.
1917 Q. Jrnl. Public Speaking Oct. 341 It is almost inconceivable that anyone should fear that great industrial, social, and political questions should develop a one-sided and issueless debate.
1992 Nation (N.Y.) 27 Jan. 91/1 As we have neither political parties nor, indeed, politics, only issueless elections, I see only one peaceful way out of this corpse of a Republic.
2008 D. A. Crockett Running against Grain i. 18 There is no such thing as a purely issueless campaign.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2015; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
adj.1447