a. Without a captain.
1586. Warner, Alb. Eng., III. xix. K 3 (R.). But Captaineles, confusedly they deale.
1796. Southey, Joan of Arc, VIII. 587 (R.). All captainless, Ill marshalled.
1850. Carlyle, Latter-d. Pamph., i. 43. Captainless, uncommanded, these wretched outcast ‘soldiers’ … must needs become banditti.
