prooflessadj.
/ˈpruːfləs/, U.S. /ˈprufləs/ Now rare.
Unsupported by proof or evidence; unfounded; unproven.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > insecure knowledge, uncertainty > questionable state or quality > state of being unprovable > [adjective] > unproved
unproved1478
untried1526
uncontrolled1529
unproven1563
unapproved1597
proofless1610
undemonstrated1648
unverified1816
untested1828
non-proven1847
1610 G. Carleton Iurisdict. 242 I will set downe some of his proofelesse positions.
1644 W. Prynne & C. Walker True Relation Prosecution N. Fiennes 71 His bare prooflesse Allegation.
1679 R. Barclay Apol. True Christian Divinity iii. 28 With the like proofeless confidence he affirms..that, where revelations are made by outward voices, [etc.].
1748 J. Wesley Let. 22 Mar. (1931) II. 136 The belief of such proofless, incredible stuff as transubstantiation.
1795 Hist. in Ann. Reg. 126/1 The injurious epithets,..being proofless, fell to the ground.
1859 Ld. Tennyson Vivien in Idylls of King 130 Accusation vast and vague, Spleen-born.., and proofless.
1993 Observer 28 Feb. (Books section) 57 God rests proofless but oppressive..; if it could be established that he did not exist, we might be happier.
Derivatives
ˈprooflessly adv. rare without proof.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > insecure knowledge, uncertainty > questionable state or quality > state of being unprovable > [adverb]
prooflessly1647
incorrigibly1956
1647 Integrity Parl. Army Justified 2 It was done groundlessly, and prooflesly.
1914 Trans. Amer. Microsc. Soc. 33 247 Prooflessly assuming a number of setæ which do not actually exist.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1610