adv., prep., conj. Forms (2–5 written as one or as two words): α. wið-, wiþutan, 2–4 wiþ-, withuten, 3–5 wiþouten, etc. (see WITH and OUTEN adv.), 4–6, 7–9 arch. withouten; also 3 -utene, -utin, 4–5 -owtten(e, 5 -oughten, -owghten, -outene, -yn(e, etc.; abbreviated 5 wtouton, wtowtyn. β. 2–4 wipute, 3–4 witute, 3–6 withoute, (3 widh wute, wiþ houte, 4 wit out(t)e, 5 witheoute), etc. (cf. OUTE adv.); abbreviated 4, 6 wt oute, 5 wtowte, wtouȝte. γ. 3 wiþ vt, 4–5 wiþout, etc. (see WITH and OUT adv.), 4– without; abbreviated 5–6 wtout, 5 wtouȝt, wtwt, 6, 8 wout, 7 wthout. [Late OE. wiþútan, f. wiþ WITH prep. + útan OUTEN adv.: see WITHIN.] A. adv.
I. Outside, in various senses: opp. to WITHIN adv. Now only literary and somewhat arch.
For instances of the ellipsis of the object of the prep., in which without has the appearance of an adv., and may be so construed, see B. 4 and 14.
1. On the outside or outer surface (of a material thing); externally.
c. 1000. Ælfric, Hom., I. 86. His lichama barn wiðutan mid langsumere hætan.
c. 1250. Gen. & Ex., 3828. On a wond Wið-uten ðo wrot he wið hond Ðe twelfte names of ðat kin.
1340. Hampole, Pr. Consc., 8047. A vesselle dypped … In water … Has water bath with-in and with-out.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XVII. vii. (1495), N vj/2. A Rede … is … smothe wythout & holow within.
1419. in Proc. Privy Council (1834), II. 247. They were endosid wiþoutyn to suche persones as us liste assigne.
a. 1425. Cursor M., 17347 (Trin.). Þei … shutte þe dores at þe last Wiþinne & wiþoute loken so.
14[?]. Why I can’t be a Nun, 180, in E. E. P. (1862), 143. Hyt schyned wythe-owte so fayre and clere.
1596. Shaks., Tam. Shr., IV. i. 52. Be the Iackes faire within, the Gils faire without?
1611. Coryat, Crudities, 85. The Dukes Palace seemeth to be faire, but I was not in it, onely I saw it without.
1621. T. Williamson, trans. Goulart’s Wise Vieillard, 82. The Images called Silenes, which a farre off, and without appeared to bee grossely carued.
1626. Bacon, Sylva, § 505. It is an ordinary Curiosity, to Forme Trees and Shrubs into Sundry Shapes; which is done by Moulding them within, and Cutting them without.
1797. [see WITHIN A. 1].
2. Outside (or out of) the place mentioned or implied; esp. outside the house or room; out of doors.
a. 1100. in Assmann, Ags. Hom., xvi. 126. Þæt ðær ʓelamp, þæt hiʓ ealle in on þa burh foron, þæt ðær nan þyng þæs folces wyðutan belyfen næs.
c. 1100. O. E. Chron. (MS. F.), an. 992. Man scolde fandian ʓif man mihte betræppan þane here ahwar wiþutan.
c. 1205. Lay., 12562. Bruttes weoren wið innen … & Melga wið vten.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 996. A firin wall þar es a-bute, Mai nan win in þat es wit-oute. Ibid., 15082. ‘Welcum be þou lauerd,’ said þai, ‘Duell þou noght wit-vte.’
c. 1380. Sir Ferumb., 2240. Naymes þanne with-oute ȝede & hadde þe kyng wiþ-inne.
c. 1400. Maundev. (Roxb.), v. 17. Fra þis citee til a hill withoute bare Sampson … þe ȝates of þe citee.
1526. Tindale, Matt. xii. 47. Behold thy moder and thy brethren stond without.
1535. Coverdale, 2 Kings x. 24. Whan they came in to offer sacrifyces…, Iehu appoynted him foure score men without.
1654. Sir A. Johnston (Ld. Wariston), Diary (S.H.S.), II. 300. They wer al sett in the feilds, but M. J. L. absolutely refused to preach without.
1684. Bunyan, Pilgr., II. (1900), 175. All this time poor Mercy did stand without, trembling and crying for fear that she was rejected.
1749. Fielding, Tom Jones, X. iii. There is a Footman without with the Horses.
1768. Goldsm., Good-n. Man, v. Jar. … I’ll go hasten things without.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., x. II. 562. Meanwhile the throng without was … becoming more numerous and more savage.
1890. Bridges, Spring, II. viii. When winds without make moan, I love my own fireside.
1892. Zangwill, Childr. Ghetto, I. xv. Pinchas … betook himself unceremoniously without.
b. transf. Outside of a class, body or community; not in the number or membership; in an alien or foreign community. Those (that are) without = ‘outsiders.’ Now only in echoes of 1 Cor. v. 12.
1297. R. Glouc. (Rolls), 3024. Þe king … let rere up chirchen & to al þat lond aboute, & bissopes dude in hor poer, þat er were al wiþoute.
a. 1300[?]. in O. E. Misc., 146/34. xxxij. schiren syndan on engelonde. And Norþhumbre is wiþ-vtan And loðen and westmaralond and Cumberlond And Cornwale.
1525. Ld. Berners, Froiss. (1812), II. lxxiv. [lxx.] 224. The pryse was gyuen of them without, to syr Johne Holande.
1526. Tindale, 1 Cor. v. 12. What have I to do to iudge them that are with out? Do ye not iudge them that are with in?
1535. Coverdale, Deut. xxv. 5. Then shall not ye wife of the deed take a straunge man without, but hir kynsman shal … take her to wyfe.
1676. W. Allen, Addr. Nonconf., 67. The breaking the Churches Peace … and the bad effects of it, both among themselves and in reference to them without.
1846. Mrs. A. Marsh, Father Darcy, xxxix. The secrets of my trade … are not to be lightly communicated to those who are without.
1864. Pusey, Daniel (1876), 300. To win those without to live according to the law.
3. fig. and gen. Outside of the inward being, soul or mind; with regard to external actions or circumstances; in relation to others or to something other than the self; sometimes, in outward appearance as opposed to inward reality; outwardly.
c. 1000. Ælfric, Hom., II. 404. Swa sind ʓe eac æteowode wiðutan rihtwise on manna ʓesihðum.
a. 1225. Ancr. R., 4. Þe oðer riwle is al wiðuten, & riwleð þe licome & licomliche deden.
1340. Ayenb., 25. Ypocrisye … is a zenne þet makeþ to ssewy þe guod wyþoute þet ne is naȝt wyþinne.
a. 1400. Relig. Pieces fr. Thornton MS. (1914), 54. How þay sall bere þam with-owtten and with-in; howe to God, how to man.
c. 1400. Maundev. (Roxb.), xxvi. 123. Ne þare schuld na man luffe a creature for þe bewtee withouten.
1502. Ord. Crysten Men (W. de W.), I. iii. Some thynges they make in operacyon wythout all onely, the whiche thynges are not in the soule materyally.
1560. Bible (Geneva), 2 Cor. vii. 5. We were troubled on euerie side, fightings without, & terrours within.
1607. Grimestone, trans. Goulart’s Admir. Hist., 392. Rage … may … haue inward beginnings, without any accidentall contagion without.
1653. Bogan, Medit. Mirth Chr. Life, 209. When (for ought a man can see) by his countenance without, a godly man may be sad, and melancholick, and perplexed.
1692. E. Walker, trans. Epictetus’ Mor., xxvi. An injury To something else without, ’tis none to thee.
1832. Ht. Martineau, Hill & Valley, v. 84. Then you will be at ease without and at peace within.
1855. G. Macdonald (title), Within and without: a dramatic poem.
4. Preceded by from, in above senses.
a. 1400–50. Wars Alex., 1032. ‘Ȝe Calodoyns,’… he callis fra with-oute.
1645–. [see WITHIN adv. 4].
1722. Wollaston, Relig. Nat., ix. 190. The hints I received from without.
1768. Goldsm., Good-n. Man, v. He who seeks only for applause from without, has all his happiness in another’s keeping.
1848. Dickens, Dombey, xxxvi. Doors opened smartly from without.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., v. I. 548. An independent state, jealous of all interference from without.
1898. Illingworth, Divine Immanence, vi. 137. The man loses his power of self-determination,… and is … determined from without.
B. prep.
I. Outside of, beyond (in various senses): opp. to WITHIN prep. Now only literary or arch.
1. Outside of, on or at the outside of, in the space external to (a space, region, place, receptacle, inclosing boundary, etc.).
Without board (Naut.): See BOARD sb. 12. See also WITHOUT DOOR(S below.
c. 893. K. Ælfred, Oros., II. iv. § 7. Wiðutan þæm dice is ʓeworht tweʓea elna heah weall.
a. 1122. O. E. Chron. (Laud MS.), an. 1079. Se cyng Willelm ʓefeaht toʓeanes his sunu Rotbearde wiðutan Normandiʓe.
c. 1205. [see BOARD sb. 12].
c. 1250. Gen. & Ex., 1367. At a welle wið-uten ðe tun.
c. 1375. Cursor M., 8196 (Fairf.). Ilkan to sette þaire pauylion … wiþout [Cott. vtewit] þe toun.
c. 1400. Rule St. Benet (prose), 31. Obied wid-vten þe kirke dore to þe vre be sungen.
1410. E. E. Wills (1882), 16. The Cherch of seynt Clementis wythowtyn Templebarr.
a. 1425. Cursor M., 10989 (Trin.). Þe folke þat were þe chirche wiþoute Wondride what he was aboute.
1426. Cov. Leet Bk., 111. As well withoute house as within.
1496. Naval Acc. Hen. VII. (1896), 176. To pyche the said shipp without borde. Ibid. (1497), 250. Abourde the Regent withoute Portesmouth haven.
1571. Jewel, Def. Apol., 711. No Bishop maie geeue orders without his owne Diocese.
a. 1572. Knox, Hist. Ref., Wks. 1846, I. 205. Thare fell a schour of rane,… so vehement, that no man mycht abyd without a house.
1632. Lithgow, Trav., III. 94. A little Chappell a mile without the Village.
a. 1676. Hale, Prim. Orig. Man., I. i. (1677), 20. We cannot know … whether there be any Worlds without the compass of this.
1717. Berkeley, Jrnl. Tour Italy, Wks. 1871, IV. 530. The church of St. Agnes without the City.
1745. Kent’s Lond. Directory, 83. Snow Thomas & Comp. Bankers, without Temple-bar.
1827. Hallam, Const. Hist., xviii. II. 727. The Irish language was universally spoken without the pale.
1869. Tyndall, Notes Lect. Light, § 292. The rays of greatest heat … lie entirely without the visible spectrum.
1885. Act 48 Vict., c. 15. Sched. II. 2. A parish … situate partly within and partly without the boundary.
b. (with verb of motion) So as to be outside of, to the outside of, out of. Obs. or arch.
c. 1000. Ags. Gosp., Matt. xxi. 39. Ða namon hiʓ & ofsloʓon hyne & awurpon wið-utan þone win-ʓeard.
c. 1290. Beket, 2226, in S. Eng. Leg., 170. With-oute þe ȝates ne cam he nouȝt.
1387. Trevisa, Higden, III. 91. Nabugodonosor … slowȝ alle the strong men,… and þrewe hem wiþ outen þe walles vnburied.
a. 1450. Knt. de la Tour, 45. She yede without her place crieng on God.
1464–5. in Acts Parl. Scot. (1874), XII. 30/2. Sendand woll … fra quhatsumeuir port … within þe Realme of Scotland wtwt þe samyn Realme.
1889. Stevenson, Master of Ballantrae, xii. 317. He led me without the camp.
c. On the outer side of; further out than; (in or to the space) beyond. (Cf. WITHIN B. 1 d.)
1623. Bingham, Xenophon, 18. All the middest of his battell … was extended without the left Wing of Cyrus his Troopes.
1712. W. Rogers, Voy., 5. When I came without the Spit-end, I saluted the Hastings with seven Guns.
1777. W. Dalrymple, Trav. Sp. & Port., xliii. The rest of the court form in a second circle without the ambassadors.
1779. Forrest, Voy. N. Guinea, 122. Off the rock or Sipsapa, are three spots of breakers,… one without another.
1867. Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., 736. Without, outside, as, studding-sail without studding-sail.
† d. At more than, beyond (a specified distance).
1724. Lond. Gaz., No. 6290/3. To begin to Work without 70 Yards Distance from the Shoar.
2. transf. and fig. Outside of, not in the limits of, external(ly) to.
1028–60. Laws Northumb. Priests, § 61. Þæt nan man ne wifiʓe on neahsibban men þonne wiðutan þam IIII. cneowe.
1357. Lay Folks’ Catech. (T.), 105. Withouten halikirke nis na saule hele.
c. 1375. Cursor M., 13166 (Fairf.). Nauþer I aske þe hous ne lande Ne nane oþer þing wiþ-oute resoun [Cott. wit vnresun].
c. 1400. Rule St. Benet (prose), 17. Ilke sunday wid-uten lentin sal þe cantikils be said.
c. 1450. Capgrave, Life St. Gilbert, vii. Whan he was vexed with ony materis, eythir with-oute þe religion or with-Inne.
1558. Knox, First Blast (Arb.), 45. It was forbidden vnto them to marie without their owne tribe.
1618. Wither, Motto, Nec Curo, Juvenilia (1633), 544. He that beares an honest heart about him, Needs never feare what changes be without him.
1694. Stanhope, Epictetus’ Morals, i. 11. The Object that moves our Affection, is without us. Ibid. (1705), Paraphr., II. 138. Some [reasons] are without the compass of my present design.
1877. Sparrow, Serm., xiv. 190. One whose sources of happiness are without him.
† b. So as to exceed; beyond. Obs.
The phr. without measure (= F. sans or outre mesure), ‘immoderate(ly),’ ‘excessive(ly),’ belongs here or under 10 a.
c. 1400. [see MEASURE sb. 12 b].
c. 1520. Skelton, Magnyf., 1895. Somtyme without Measure he trusted in golde; And now without Measure he shal haue hunger and colde.
c. 1610. Women Saints (1886), 63. Beating and bouncing her without all measure.
† 3. Beyond the extent of, outside the range of (some action or perception); beyond the scope or sphere of action of. Obs.
For without comparison, etc. see 10 d.
a. 1548. [see REACH sb.1 5 b].
1551. Turner, Herbal, I. Prol. A ij b. He beynge without the danger of gonne shot.
1577. Googe, Heresbach’s Husb., III. 151 b. Though it be without my commission to meddle with them.
1605. Bacon, Adv. Learn., II. xxii. § 3. Two thynges are without our commaund: Poyntes of Nature, and pointes of Fortune.
a. 1676. Hale, Prim. Orig. Man., I. iii. (1677), 91. Conjectures of things without our knowledge.
1770. Sir J. Reynolds, Disc., iii. (1876), 332. Beauties in our art that seem … to lie without the reach of precept.
1809. Kendall, Trav., I. vii. 70. The happy consequences … are without description.
1809. Levity & Sorrow, II. 221. To witness the elements jarring from above, and without their reach.
† b. Beyond the capacity or comprehension of (= BEYOND B. 5 b); outside the province of. Obs.
1599. B. Jonson, Cynthia’s Rev., I. iv. Oh, now I apprehend you; your phrase was without me before. Ibid. (1603), Sejanus, II. i. The ages that succeede … shall admire And reckon it an act, without your Sexe.
4. Used absol. by ellipsis of obj., in opposition to within (or in) prep., where it has the appearance of an adv.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 5933. Bath in huses and wit-vte.
a. 1300. K. Horn, 256 (Laud). Wit hinne þe curt and wit oute.
1480. in Cov. Leet Bk., 446. Placez within the shire of Couentre & withoute.
1587. A. Fleming, Contn. Holinshed, III. 1399/1. Aliances either in Italie or without.
1830. Carlyle, Misc. Ess., Richter again (1872), III. 11. Is not God’s Universe within our head, whether there be a torn skull-cap or a king’s diadem without?
II. Senses intermediate between I. and III.
† 5. In addition to, or with the addition of; besides. Obs.
c. 1205. Lay., 366. We habbeð seoue þusund of gode cnihten, wið outen wifmen.
1297. R. Glouc. (Rolls), 4107. An hondred þousend hors … Wiþ oute votmen þat were so vale þat þer nas of non ende.
1338. R. Brunne, Chron. (1810), 54. Withouten alle þis a hundreth knyghtes he toke.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Prol., 461. Housbondes … she hadde fyue Withouten oother compaignye in youthe.
1387. Trevisa, Higden, VI. 93. Wiþ oute þe ful service he wolde every day seie þe sawter.
1436. in Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., Var. Collect. IV. 197. There ys redy … iiijc shippes of forstage wythoute other smal shipes.
1535. Coverdale, Isa. xlv. 14. God (with out whom there is none other God).
† 6. Exclusive of, not including, except. Obs.
c. 1000. Sax. Leechd., I. 378. Nim … þa wyrtas wærma, alla wiðutan sauina.
c. 1250. Gen. & Ex., 557. A flod … ouer-flowȝed men & deres kin, Wið-vten noe and hise ðre sunen.
c. 1300. Havelok, 425. Godard was … þe moste swike, Þat eure in erþe shaped was, With-uten on, þe wike Iudas.
c. 1320. in Rel. Ant., I. 119. He wes the fayrest mon, With-outen Absolon, That seththe wes ant tho.
III. Expressing absence, privation or negation: With or involving the absence or want of; in a state of not having, or so as not to have; so, or such, that there is no…. Opp. to WITH prep. II ***. (The ordinary current use.)
7. a. (with obj. a thing, material or immaterial) With absence of; not with the presence or addition of; not having with it or with one; not accompanied by; not combined or associated with; not having in one’s charge; not carrying or wearing.
c. 1200. Ormin, 997. Bræd all þeorrf wiþþutenn berrme.
12[?]. Prov. Alfred, 119. Wyþvte wysdome is weole wel vnwurþ.
a. 1352. Minot, Poems (ed. Hall), vii. 138. Bisschoppes … Þat songen all withouten stole.
1382. Wyclif, Luke xxii. 35. Whanne I sente ȝou with oute sachel and scrip, and schoon.
1393. Langl., P. Pl., C. XXI. 10. Barfot on an asse back, bootles With-oute spores oþer spere.
1426. Audelay, Poems, 15. Wele withoutyn woo.
1546. J. Heywood, Prov., II. v. (1867), 57. There is no fyre without some smoke.
1565. Golding, Ovid’s Met., III. (1593), 68. A spring withouten mud as silver cleere.
1600. Nashe, Summer’s Last Will, 16. I … vse to go without money, without garters, without girdle.
1744. Berkeley, Siris, § 196. Phosphorus burns equally, with and without air.
1864. Bryce, Holy Rom. Emp., xvi. (1875), 276. A barbarism which had inherited all the vices of civilization without any of its virtues.
† (b) Less, minus (a certain amount). Obs.
c. 1450. Godstow Reg., 435. In brede xiiij. elnys with out ynche.
b. (with obj. a person) In the absence of; in a state of absence from; not with the companionship or attendance of.
c. 1385. Chaucer, L. G. W., 969, Dido. Forth they gon … His fere & he with-outyn any gyde.
c. 1450. trans. De Imitatione, II. viii. 48. What may þe worlde auaile þe wiþoute ihesu?
1491. Cartul. S. Nicholai Aberdon. (New Spald. Cl.), I. 256. Nay mess salbe songit Withoutin xij personis and ye prest.
a. 1548. Hall, Chron., 14 Hen. VII., 49. He … began secretly to commen without any witnesses or arbitrers nere hond with the bishop alone.
1656. Stanley, Hist. Philos., Plato, 33. He counsel’d Dionysius to give over the Tyranny, and live without a Guard.
1685. Lady R. Russell, Lett. (1853), I. 165. Doubtless he is at rest, though I find none without him.
1750. Johnson, Rambler, No. 6, ¶ 11. Those to whom he has formerly been known will very patiently support his absence when they have tried a little to live without him.
1877. Phyllis, xxvii. If you can live without me, I tell you plainly I would rather ten thousand times be dead than exist without you.
8. In a state of not possessing; not having (as a possession of any kind, a part, an advantage, etc.); in want of, destitute of, lacking.
1297. R. Glouc. (Rolls), 991. Wanne man wiþoute eir of him sulue to deþe were ibroȝt His moder kun was is eir.
c. 1300. Havelok, 2860. Þe erl of cestre,… Þat was yung knith wituten wif.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Prol., 343. With oute bake mete was neuere his hous.
1459. Paston Lett., I. 476. j. hood of russet felwet withougt a typpet.
1526. Tindale, Acts ix. 9. And he was iij. dayes wyth out sight. Ibid., xiv. 17. He lefte not hym silfe with outen witnes.
1548. Udall, Erasm. Par. Luke i. 11–12. The grief and pensifnesse of beeng without issue.
1650. Bulwer, Anthropomet., xxii. (1653), 426. The shin-bone exposed to all encounters without any defence at all.
1667. Dryden & Dk. Newcastle, Sir M. Mar-all, III. (1668), 32. I hate him worse than foul weather without a Coach.
1754. in Nairne Peerage Evid. (1874), 48. Deceased … w’out issue of his body.
1766. Goldsm., Vicar W., xxi. Without cross or coin to bless yourself with!
1871. Geo. Eliot, Middlem., xxxv. II. 212. I do believe you are better without the money.
1883. Law Times, 20 Oct., 407/2. Preventing … a litigant without a case from wantonly harassing his opponent.
b. Not with (something that might be given, granted or obtained); not getting or receiving, or having got or received.
a. 1200. Vices & Virtues, 11. Ðat we sculen bliðeliche ȝiuen…, wið-uten erðliche mede, alle ðe niede habbeð.
a. 1225. Ancr. R. 230. Lo hu heo [sc. the devils] ne muhten nout wiðuten leaue swenchen fule swin.
1390. Gower, Conf., III. 377. Y was left with outen helpe.
c. 1420. Prose Life Alex., 41. He commanded þat he schulde wende hame to his felawes wit-owtten any harme.
c. 1450. Merlin, iv. 69. Thus departed the messagers with-outen other ansuere.
1548–1765. [see LICENCE sb. 1].
1697. Dryden, Virg. Georg., III. 735. The Victim Ox … Sunk of himself, without the Gods Command: Preventing the slow Sacrificer’s Hand.
1707. Watts, Hymn ‘How beauteous are their feet,’ iv. Prophets and kings desir’d it long, But dy’d without the sight.
1723. Dk. Wharton, True Briton, No. 3. I. 19. They are all Guilty of Felony, without Benefit of the Clergy.
1842. Tennyson, Ld. Burleigh, 10. He to lips, that fondly falter, Presses his without reproof.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., v. I. 623. He would as soon die without their absolution as with it.
c. In the construction of certain verbs: see DO v. 41, GO v. 68. Also colloq. with ellipsis.
1458–. [see GO v. 68].
1713–. [see DO v. 41].
1899. R. Whiteing, No. 5 John St., 75. His one principle of conduct is to do without.
9. a. With no use, employment, or action of (an instrument, means, etc.); not using, or not being acted upon by.
Without book: see BOOK sb. 14: hence (with hyphen) attrib. or as adj., recited without book or from memory.
a. 1122. O. E. Chron. (Laud MS.), an. 1086. He hæfde Yrlande mid his werscipe ʓewunnon & wiðutan ælcon wæpnon.
c. 1200. Ormin, 11329. Wiþþutenn mete & drinnch heold Crist hiss fasste þære fowwerrtiȝ daȝhess.
1471. Ripley, Comp. Alch., VI. iv. in Ashm. (1652), 162. So that hyt lyke wax wyll melt … Wythouten blast.
1597. Shaks., Rom. & Jul., I. iv. 7 (Qo.). Weele haue … no withoutbooke Prologue faintly spoke After the Prompter, for our entrance.
c. 1615. Bacon, Advice to Sir G. Villiers, Wks. 1879, I. 519/1. The excess of diet … would be avoided; wise men will do it without a law.
1673. E. Browne, Trav., 130. Two sorts of Virgin Mercury; the one running out and discovering it self without labour, the other requiring some way of extraction and separation.
1731–8. Swift, Pol. Conversat., Introd. 21. To pass the Evening without Cards.
1797. Coleridge, Christabel, I. 177. The moon shines dim … But they without its light can see The chamber carved so curiously. Ibid. (1798), Anc. Mar., 169. Withouten wind, withouten tide, She steddies with upright keel.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., i. I. 150. The new parliament, which, having been called without the royal writ, is more accurately described as a convention.
1857. [see GET v. 63 h].
1865. Swinburne, Masque of Queen Bersabe, 92. [The rushes] Grew wet withouten foot of men.
b. With no action or agency of (a person); esp. with no co-operation of, or support from.
1340. Hampole, Pr. Consc., Prol. 44. Alle thyng thurgh his myght made he, For with-outen hym myght nathing be.
1382. Wyclif, John xv. 5. For with outen me ȝe mown no thing do.
c. 1450. Merlin, ii. 36. A childe born withouten fader.
1476. Stonor Papers (Camden), II. 19. I … saide … That … I coulde not answere that mateer without yow.
1535. Coverdale, 2 Kings xviii. 25. Thinkest thou that I came vp hither without ye Lorde to destroye these cities?
1592. in J. Morris, Troubles Cath. Forefathers (1877), 28. Imprisoned for burying a Catholic without a minister.
1598. in Harington’s Nugæ Ant. (1804), I. 176. To make peace withouten his allyes and friends.
1697. Dryden, Virg. Georg., III. 70. Without thee nothing lofty can I sing.
1712. Swift, Jrnl. to Stella, 13 Dec. We shall have a peace very soon; the Dutch are almost entirely agreed, and if they stop we shall make it without them.
1875. [see GET v. 63 h].
Mod. Come and help me with this job; I can’t do it without you.
10. (with obj. an abstract thing, as a quality, attribute, action, condition, etc.): a. (depending on or referring to a verb) With absence or lack of, or freedom from; so that there is no…; often forming phrases equivalent to negative adverbs, e.g., without end = endlessly, without fail = unfailingly, without fear = fearlessly, without success = unsuccessfully, etc.
Frequent in ME. in intensive or expletive phrases, as without(en dread, lease (sb.2), leasing, let, letting, lie (sb.1), miss (sb.1), strife, etc. See also the various sbs.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 143. Iwarpen ine eche pine, wiþuten alesinge, and wið-uten milce.
c. 1220. Bestiary, 412. For to winnen fode, derflike wiðuten dred.
c. 1250. Owl & Night., 183. Wit-ute cheste and bute fiȝte.
c. 1275–. [see DELAY sb. 2 a].
1297–. [see FAIL sb.2 1].
a. 1300. Cursor M., 10407. Þai þat stad er in þair blis, Wit-vten want…, Wit-vten seke, wit-vten sare.
1340. Hampole, Pr. Consc., 3429. Swa parfitely may nane lyf here, With-outen veniel syns sere.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. XIV. 237. He is neuere murie, Withoute mornynge amonge, and mischief to bote.
1390. Gower, Conf., I. 281. Sche seith me nay withouten oth.
a. 1450. Myrc, Par. Pr., 24. Say þy serues wyþowten hast.
c. 1450. Merlin, 129. Withouten cause ye be not come hider.
1549. Compl. Scot., 5. Quhen he purchessis pace ande concord, vytht out diminutione of his rycht.
a. 1553. Udall, Royster D., IV. vii. (Arb.), 74. I will take the lawe on hir withouten grace.
1614. Gorges, Lucan, VI. 219. Then Pompey’s men withouten stop, Do mount vpon the trenches top.
1633. Earl Manch., Al Mondo (1636), 162. It is just … that they who live without repentance, should dye without comfort.
1721. Ramsay, Lucky Spence, x. Nane gathers gear withoutten care.
1779. Mirror, No. 57, ¶ 6. I hope I may say it without vanity.
1812. Byron, Ch. Har., I. xxxi. Far as the eye discerns, withouten end.
1820. Maddock, Rep. V.-C. Crt., V. 35. Stating … ‘that the estates were to be sold without reserve.’
1834. Newman, Par. Serm. (1837), I. 101. Men can without trouble be brought to confess that they sin.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., v. I. 540. Great doubt has been thrown on his integrity, but without sufficient reason.
1862. Law Jrnl. Rep., 31 Ch. 676. Primâ facie, a party writing a letter, and using the expression ‘without prejudice,’ means that he is not to be prejudiced.
1881. Miss Braddon, Asphodel, III. 265. He … then let her go without a word.
1896. Kipling, Seven Seas, Last Rhyme True Thomas, 130. I do well To love my love withouten fear.
b. (depending on or referring to a sb.) Characterized by absence of, lacking or free from, not having: often forming phrases equivalent to negative adjs., e.g., without end = endless, without fear = fearless, without number († tale) = innumerable, etc.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 95. He deð þa þe beoð bilehwite and wið-utan ufelnesse.
c. 1230. Hali Meid., 15. He is leoflukest þing & wiðuten eauer euch bruche.
a. 1250. Owl & Night., 863. For nys no mon wiþvten sunne.
1297. R. Glouc. (Rolls), 8903. Þi louerd ssal abbe an name … vair wiþoute blame.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 102. Mild and mek, witouten gall.
c. 1380. Sir Ferumb., 4112. Neuere ne was he with-oute strif, Bot ay wykkeliche lyuede ys lyf.
1390. Gower, Conf., I. 45. To grounde I was withoute breth.
14[?]. Tundale’s Vis., 32. He was a man withoute pyte.
1509. Fisher, Funeral Serm. C’tess Richmond, Wks. (1876), 309. Be not sad … as men withouten hope.
1626. Bacon, Sylva, § 499. It is obserued by some, that there is a vertuous Bezoar, and another without vertue.
1690. Locke, Hum. Und., I. iv. § 1. There was a time, when the Mind was without those Principles.
1719. De Foe, Crusoe, II. (Globe), 422. All sorts of Tools and Iron-work, they had without Tale.
1758. Hume, Ess., Eloquence, 66. ’Tis vehement reasoning, without any appearance of art.
1859. Hawthorne, Fr. & It. Jrnls. (1871), II. 284. It resembled an unspeakably bad dough nut, without any sweetening.
1869. Ruskin, Q. of Air, § 77. They are white, without purity;… massive, without strength; and slender, without grace.
c. With no possibility of; so, or such, as not to admit of; so, or such, that there can be no….
a. 1300. Cursor M., 25821. For þair wanhopping Þai foll wit-vten vp-couering.
c. 1470. Henry, Wallace, I. 113. Our men was slayne with outyn redemptioune. Ibid., 226. With out reskew he stekyt him to dede.
1530. Palsgr., 329/2. Without remedy, irremediable.
1670. [see CLERGY 6].
1751. Johnson, Rambler, No. 174, ¶ 14. These wounds … are without cure.
1762. Hume, Hist. Eng., Jul. C. to Hen. VII., I. App. I. 151. The great lords and abbots among the Anglo-Saxons … could punish without appeal any thieves … they caught.
1766. [see REMEDY sb. 3].
d. In such phrases as without comparison, controversy, doubt, † nay, etc., the meaning app. varies between ‘beyond’ (sense 2 or 3) and ‘involving the absence of,’ ‘not admitting of,’ ‘so that there is or can be no….’
a. 1300–. [see DOUBT sb. 4 d].
1340–1578. [see COMPARISON sb. 2 b].
1547–1777. [see CONTROVERSY sb. 1 c].
1557. N. T. (Geneva), Heb. vii. 7. Without all nay, he which is lesse, receaueth blessyng of hym which is greater.
1605. Bacon, Adv. Learn., II. xix. § 3. These things are without Contradiction, and could not otherwise be.
1621–1709. [see COMPARE sb.1 2].
† e. Without day = SINE DIE. Obs.
1607. Cowell, Interpr., s.v. Day, To be dismissed with out day, is to be finally discharged the court.
1713. Mod. Cases, VI. 262. He doubted of the Effect of a Nolle Pros’ … if it discharged the Indictment, or only put the Defendant without Day.
11. Followed by a gerund or vbl. sb. in -ing: equivalent to ‘so as not to’ or ‘and not’ with the corresponding vb., or ‘not’ with the pres. pple.; e.g., to pass by without seeing = ‘to pass by so as not to see,’ ‘to pass by and not see,’ ‘to pass by, not seeing.’
c. 1320. Sir Tristr., 2620. Tristrem is went oway Wiþ outen coming oȝain.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. XI. 144. He … wilned me were graunted Grace, wyth-outen any bede-byddynge.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 2992. Tite, withoutyn tariyng, atirit were all.
1515. Reg. Privy Seal Scot., I. 407/1. To pas and repas als oft as thai ples … without ony … aresting.
a. 1548. Hall, Chron., 14 Edw. IV., 235. The Frenche kyng … callyng for water, washed and rose without any answere makyng.
1639. S. Du Verger, trans. Camus’ Admir. Events, To Rdr. a vij. Drones which do but humme about flowers, without gathering any honey from them.
1734. Berkeley, Lett., Wks. 1871, IV. 217. I can hardly stir abroad without catching cold.
1779. Mirror, No. 2, ¶ 1. No child ever heard from its nurse the story of Jack the Giant Killer’s cap of darkness, without envying the pleasures of invisibility.
1836. Dickens, Sk. Boz, Shops & Tenants. We never passed at night without seeing the eldest girl at work.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., ii. I. 169. He was a slave without being a dupe.
1877. Ruskin, St. Mark’s Rest, iv. § 51. A solemn piece of old Venetian wall … which you might pass under twenty times without seeing.
1885. Law Times, LXXIX. 119/2. No person was … to blast coal without the charge having been inspected by the underlooker.
† b. Governing an infinitive with to. [After Fr., etc.]
c. 1489. Caxton, Sonnes of Aymon, xxii. 470. That we maye retourne agen hole and sounde … wythoute to be dyshonoured.
1556. J. de Flores’ Aurelio & Isab., F 6. Without to see it whiche is written.
c. By ellipsis of the gerund: Not counting, leaving out of account. colloq.
1871. Geo. Eliot, Middlem., xxxv. II. 212. My father has enough to do to keep the rest, without me.
† 12. Without mo or more: in various senses (see MO B. 3 c, MORE a. B. 4 c). Often used as a tag.
c. 1290, etc. [see MO, MORE, as above].
c. 1350. Will. Palerne, 2573. Þe werwolf … went wiȝtly a-wei wit-oute any more.
c. 1350. Leg. Rood, iii. 148. By þat ilk way went we twa, Þi moder and I with-outen ma.
14[?]. Guy Warw. (Camb. MS.), 719. Wythowytyn more forthe they rode.
c. 1470. Henry, Wallace, I. 61. Till Noram kirk he come with outyn mar.
1500–20. Dunbar, Poems, xxxiv. 89. The Deuill said then, withouttin mair, ‘Renunce ȝour God, and cum to me.’
13. In senses 7–11 often with conditional implication (mostly with negative, expressed or implied): If one have (or had) not, if there be (or were) not, unless one have or there be, in the absence of, in default of, ‘supposing the negation or omission of’ (J.).
a. 1300. Cursor M., 126. Na were may stand Wit-outen grundwall to be lastand.
1387. Trevisa, Higden, III. 161. Noþer man ne womman schulde be punsched wiþ oute gilt.
c. 1450. Capgrave, Life St. Aug., 99. Þat swech þingis myte not be do witȝ-outen vertuous lyuyng.
1526. Tindale, Heb. xi. 6. With out faith it is vnpossible to please him.
1661. Godolphin, View Adm. Jurisd., Introd. a 6. The Mariner … may not sail without one Cat or more in his Vessel.
1748. Thomson, Cast. Indol., I. i. Withouten that would come an heavyer bale.
1766. Goldsm., Vicar W., xv. What is genius or courage without an heart?
1834. Marryat, Peter Simple, xxxvii. Without a sense of your fault, how can repentance and amendment be expected?
1857. Buckle, Civiliz., I. x. 617. The people believed that without the nobles there was no safety; the nobles believed that without the crown there was no honour.
14. With ellipsis of the obj. (cf. 4). Now colloq. (except in contrast with with).
In negative contexts, as in quots. 1733, 1898, virtually = otherwise; this use is further extended in unstudied speech. e.g.: ‘You can go, if you can find somebody to go with,—not without.’
c. 1400. Rule St. Benet (prose), 16. Þe nihend-ferþe salme wid þe antefen ouþir wid-vten.
1597. Shaks., Lover’s Compl., 98. Smal shew of man was yet vpon his chinne … Yet … nice affections wauering stood in doubt If best were as it was, or best without.
1654. Dorothy Osborne, Lett. (1888), 233. Here is a ring:… ’tis indifferent whether there be any word in’t or not; only ’tis as well without.
1672. Wiseman, Wounds, I. viii. 70. We threw out our Tent, and by Sarcoticks cured this wound without.
1681. T. Flatman, Heraclitus Ridens, No. 27 (1713), I. 178. Come, it is a great while since we had a Pindarick; have you never a one in your Budget? Earn. I am seldom without.
1720. Lady B. Germaine, in C’tess Suffolk’s Lett. (1824), I. 73. Though you should take the four [thousand pounds], still I shall have enough without.
1733. Tull, Horse-Hoeing Husb., vii. 26. All the former Roots being broken off at the Ends in taking up (for ’tis impossible to do it without).
1741. Richardson, Pamela, III. 27. Pray don’t! You’ll have enough on your hands without.
1800. Mrs. Hervey, Mourtray Fam., IV. 57. Well, promise nothing, Mr. Chowles; but do it without.
1834. Newman, Lett. (1891), II. 48. [He] was afraid to tell me, and left Oxford without.
1878. E. A. Freeman, Lett., in W. R. W. Stephens, Life & Lett. (1895), II. 161. I don’t get any worship here; but I am better without.
1898. W. W. Jacobs, Sea Urchins, Grey Parrot (1906), 208. You must have given him some encouragement…. A man wouldn’t offer to lend a lady his opera-glasses without.
b. slang. in reference to liquor: Not mixed with sugar: cf. WITH prep. 26 b (b).
1835. Dickens, Sk. Boz, River. Glasses of brandy-and-water cold without.
1837. Barham, Ingol. Leg., Execution, 71. There is ‘punch,’ ‘cold without,’ ‘hot with,’ ‘heavy wet.’
1854. [see WITH prep. 26 b (b)].
15. Qualified by a negative: not without = not lacking, with or having some (implying or suggesting a somewhat slight or not very great amount).
Cf. not with negative adj. or adv. (NOT adv. 10 c).
1596. Dalrymple, trans. Leslie’s Hist. Scot. (S.T.S.), I. 42. Sa sure a havin … that nocht wtout cause the historiographours named it, the Porte of saifgaird and saiftie.
1605. Shaks., Macb., I. v. 20. Thou would’st be great; Art not without Ambition.
1766. Goldsm., Vicar W., iv. Nor were we without guests.
1807. Southey, Espriella’s Lett., xxxvii. (1808), II. 71. I looked back upon Birmingham not without satisfaction at thinking I should never enter it again.
1855. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., xi. III. 113. Many … were not without hopes that mild and liberal counsels might prevail.
1879. McCarthy, Donna Q., I. 61. She remembered not without a pang that [etc.].
C. conj. (or in conj. phr.)
1. The prep. governing a clause introduced by that, so that without that becomes a conjunctional phr.: † a. (a) Except that. (b) In addition to the fact that. Obs. rare.
c. 1200. Ormin, 1022. Þatt waȝherifft wass henngedd tær, forr þatt itt hidenn shollde All þatt tatt tær wiþþinnenn wass … Wiþþutenn þatt te bisscopp sellf … Þær shollde cumenn o þe ȝer ann siþe, & all himm ane.
1489. Acc. Ld. High Treas. Scot., I. 145. Laide downe in redy siluer for rybbanis to the King,… withowte at the Master of the Wardrop hes boycht v dussane of rybbanis … summa iijll.
b. (in sense B. 10) Without its being the case that: now expressed by the construction with gerund (B. 11), with or without poss., e.g., without that you shall need = ‘without your needing’; without that he led me = ‘without leading me.’ Now rare or Obs.
c. 1450. in W. T. Barbour, Hist. Contract (1914), 201. Withoute þat ever eny accord and agrement were made or had bitwene þe seid John Mercer and John Halsnoth.
1471. Fortescue, Wks. (1869), 525. Sainte Edwarde reyned … peseably … with oute eny clayme made vppon him, by hyr, or by her husbande, and with outen that eny of ther heirs have claymed this londe.
c. 1489. Caxton, Sonnes of Aymon, xxvi. 560. The speres flew in peces wythout that ony of theym felle to the grounde.
1594. R. Carew, Huarte’s Exam. Wits, xiii. (1596), 203. Himselfe will deliuer them into your hands, without that you shall need to conquer them.
1596. Danett, trans. Comines (1614), 86. The captaine at the castell gate … offred me a cup of wine, without that he led mee into the castell as he was accustomed.
a. 1648. Ld. Herbert, Hen. VIII. (1683), 162. This seemed to be done, without that the King was fully informed thereof. Ibid., 230. Your Actions (without that I or any else speak of them) make you a lyar.
1853. C. Brontë, Villette, xii. It was next to impossible that a casket could be thrown into her garden … without … that she should have caught intimation [etc.].
† c. (with conditional implication as in B. 13) If it be or were not the case that, unless: = 2. Obs.
c. 1440. Generydes, 475. Withoute that she myght have his loue ageyn, She were on don for euere in certayne.
c. 1450. Capgrave, Life St. Aug., ii. 4. This myth not be do withouten þat þei had substauns of possession.
1523. Q. Marg., in M. A. E. Green, Lett. Royal Ladies (1846), I. 266 (MS.). The lordes wilbe … ferd to leve the governours wayes, without that they may fynd some suyrtie to take ther partt.
† d. Without that (or this) that: legal phr. introducing an exception, spec. in pleading [trans. law-L. absque hoc quod, law-Fr. sans ceo que], a form, obsolete since 1852, whereby a defendant asserted special matter of exception or justification against the plaintiff’s claim while reserving his denial of the whole cause of action.
1518. Star Chamber Cases (Selden Soc.), II. 150. That all the said mesuages and londes shuld be in the rule … of the Chamberleyne … Without that that the said mesuages and londes extend to the yerely value of cxl li.
1592. B. N. C. (Oxf.) Docts., B 2 37 (MS.). Without that, that H. P. was never properly enfeoffed.
1601. Fulbecke, 1st Pt. Parall., 72 b. The plaintife replyed, that … the defendant … assaulted him and beate him … and the defendant reioined that … by their common accorde they played together, without that that he beate him in other maner.
1651. trans. Kitchin’s Jurisd. (1653), 422. Conspiracy, he is alive, with out that, that he is dead. Ibid., 423. Where one pleads out of his Fee, the other saith within, without that, that it was out in manner and forme.
1824. H. J. Stephen, Treat. Princ. Pleading, ii. 211. The defendants delivered their petition to the common council, complaining of an undue election; without this that the jurisdiction to examine the validity of such election, belonged to the court of the mayor and aldermen.
2. Hence, by omission of that, simply as a conjunction: If … not, except, unless.
Formerly common in literary use, most frequently with verb in subjunctive; later colloq. (‘not in use, except in conversation’ J. 1755) or arch., and now chiefly illiterate. Often replaceable by the const. with gerund (B. 11), e.g., without he be compelled = ‘without being compelled’; esp. with clause referring to an attendant circumstance or result rather than a condition, as in quot. 1467.
1393. Langl., P. Pl., C. V. 176. Quath conscience to þe kynge with-oute þe comune help, Hit is ful hard … þer-to hit to brynge.
1467. Marg. Paston, in P. Lett., II. 308. If I wer ther withought I had the mor … wurchepfull persones abought me … it shuld be to me but a vylney.
1477. Stonor Papers (Camden), II. 28. She is displeside and I know nat whereffore, with owte hir olde sekenes be fallen on hir agayn.
1523. Ld. Berners, Froiss. (1812), I. xii. 12. All the moost parte of the realme were right joyouse, withoute it were a fewe parsones … fauourable to syr Hewe Spencer.
1534. More, Comf. agst. Trib., I. xii. (1553), C iij b. Good workes to godwarde woorketh no man without god woorke with him.
1565. Reg. Privy Council Scot., I. 410. [He] will nocht deliver … the said hors without he be compellit.
1591. Shaks., Com. Err., III. ii. 92. Such a one, as a man may not speake of, without he say sir reuerence.
a. 1643. J. Shute, Judgem. & Mercy (1645), 129. He may barke, but he cannot bite without a man come within his reach.
1695. Congreve, Love for L., IV. i. If he can’t be cur’d without I suck the Poyson from his Wounds.
1754. Shebbeare, Matrimony (1766), I. 143. Do not think of marrying this young Lady, without you are convinced you can love her.
1787. Beattie, Scoticisms, 101. I will not go without I am paid for it. Scottish and obsolete and vulgar English.
1802. Mrs. E. Parsons, Myst. Visit, III. 51. I shall never intrude without you invite me.
a. 1814. Fam. Politics, II. i. in New Brit. Theatre, II. 207. I’m but a working woman, and cannot live without I gets my due.
1834. T. Arnold, Lett., 14 April, in Stanley, Life (1898), I. vii. 328. Not allowing God’s seal, without it be countersigned by one of their own forging.
1859. Tennyson, Elaine, 1411. Not without She wills it.
1860. O. W. Holmes, Elsie V., xv. (1891), 211. I know these people…, so as all the science in the world can’t know them, without it takes time about it.
1868. J. H. Blunt. Ref. Ch. Eng., I. 437. No canons were to become law without they were assented to … by the crown.
1887. Daily News, 21 Nov., 2/7. Without a great change takes place the meeting is sure to commence to-morrow.
D. sb. That which is external; the outside. nonce-use.
1899. C. F. d’Arcy, Idealism & Theol., Introd. 22. Necessity is determination from without, determination by the not-self. It belongs therefore to whatever has a ‘without.’
