watchlessadj.
1.
a. Keeping no watch.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > carelessness > incautiousness > [adjective] > not vigilant
unwaker?c1225
unvigilant1611
unwatchful1611
watchless1622
invigilant1661
unalert1829
1622 T. Gataker Spirituall Watch (ed. 2) 124 There is great difference betweene the watchfull and the watchlesse Christian.
1706 C. Cibber Perolla & Izadora i. i. 2 How cam'st thou first to set Thy watchless Eyes upon this fatal Wretch.
b. Unwatched, unguarded.
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
1842 Hist. Berwickshire Naturalists' Club 2 8 The hills are covered with flocks of sheep..browsing watchless, because they know no danger.
1852 D. Rock Church our Fathers III. i. 199 If..it happen with them, in some watchless moment, that they stumble.
2. Of a night: not broken into watches; having no wakeful intervals.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > day and night > night > [adjective] > not broken into watches
watchless1850
1850 J. S. Blackie tr. Æschylus Lyrical Dramas I. 27 To their hearts' content They live, and through the watchless night prolong Sound slumbers.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1923; most recently modified version published online June 2019).
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adj.1622