a. [f. WOUND sb. + -LESS.]
1. Free from a wound or wounds; unwounded.
1579. Spenser, Sheph. Cal., Oct., 41. Doubted Knights, whose woundlesse armour rusts.
1591. Sylvester, Du Bartas, I. vii. 353. He that steals home wound-less from the Wars, Is held a Coward.
1635. J. Hayward, trans. Biondi’s Banish’d Virg., 216. Undertaking to deliver them you in a short time woundlesse and friends.
c. 1650. Don Bellianis, 42. So many sluggard knights lying in field, for all I see your person woundlesse.
1755. Johnson.
1817. Moore, Lalla R., Fire-worshippers, IV. 565. And some who, grasp’d by those that die, Sink woundless with them.
1855. M. Arnold, Balder Dead, ii. 18. All at night return to Odin’s hall Woundless and fresh.
1891. Meredith, One of our Conq., I. xii. 226. His pride in appearing woundless and scarless.
† 2. That cannot be wounded; invulnerable. Obs.
1604. Shaks., Ham., IV. i. 44 (Qo. 2). Whose whisper … may misse our Name, And hit the woundlesse ayre.
a. 1618. Sylvester, Maiden’s Blush, 338. Th’ Angell … through the woundless Welkin swifter glides Then Zephyrus.
3. Inflicting no wound, unwounding, harmless.
1795. Southey, Joan of Arc, VIII. 346. And not a dart fell woundless there.
