a. arch. [f. WEET v.1 + -LESS. App. coined by Spenser; distinct from witless.] Unknowing, unconscious. † Also (quot. 1579), meaningless.
1579. Spenser, Sheph. Cal., July, 35. Syker, thous but a laesie loord, and rekes much of thy swinck, That with fond termes, and weetlesse words to blere myne eyes doest thinke. [E. K. Glosse, Weetlesse, not vnderstoode.] Ibid. (1590), F. Q., III. ii. 26. But the false Archer, which that arrow shot So slyly, that she did not feele the wound, Did smyle full smoothly at her weetlesse wofull stound. Ibid. (1596), VI. viii. 47. And now all weetlesse of the wretched stormes In which his loue was lost, he slept full fast.
1747. [J. Upton], New Canto F. Q., xix. 13. Nathless the Soul, from her true heavenly Way, Caught by some Semblance fair, too weetless wends astray. [Footn., Weetless, thoughtless, careless, unknowing: too thoughtless goes astray.]
1751. Mendez, Seasons, xxx. in Pearch, Collect. Poems (1768), II. 246. Or how the way-ward mother to chastise When from her vetchy nest the weetless vagrant hies.
1767. Mickle, Concub., I. xx. Bashfully the weetlesse Boy did look.
1802. Leyden, Cout of Keeldar, xxxviii.
| ’Twas here for Mangerton’s brave lord | |
| A bloody feast was set, | |
| Who weetless at the festal board | |
| The bull’s broad frontlet met. |
1814. Cary, Dante, Parad., x. 31. And I was with him, weetless of ascent, But as a man, that weets him come, ere thinking.
1829. G. Darley, Wedding Wake, Anniv., 73. Look how the weetless, reckless air Moves its dead tresses now!
a. 1849. J. C. Mangan, Poems (1859), 256. Mother dear, thy happy heart is weetless of my dolour.
