a. [f. FORCE sb.1 + -LESS.] Without force; devoid of force.
1532. More, Confut. Tindale, Wks. 572/2. In whiche, when he hath feareles long continued, he waxeth forcelesse and carelesse, and setteth not by synne, till sodeinly ye deuil out of his high heart & haute corage striketh him into cowardous drede & vtter desperacion.
1561. T. Norton, Calvin’s Inst., IV. xix. (1634), 723, marg. Extreme annointing is a forcelesse and unwarranted ceremonie.
1604. Edmondes, Observ. Cæsar’s Comm., 58. The practise of the Romaines in taking in any towne, was to leaue them forcelesse, that howsoeuer they might stand affected, their nailes should be surely pared for scratching.
1742. Collins, Simplicity, 39.
| Love, only love, her forceless numbers mean: | |
| For thou hast left her shrine; | |
| Nor olive more, nor vine, | |
| Shall gain thy feet to bless the servile scene. |
1813. Scott, Rokeby, I. xxiv.
| On Wilfrid set contemptuous brand, | |
| For feeble heart and forceless hand. |
1883. Momerie, Personality, iv. (ed. 3), 105–6. If the human body consist, not of a mass of forceless atoms, but of a number of centres of force mutually interacting, then the ego might be regarded as a central centre of energy, forming the bond of union for all the rest.
Hence † Forcelessly adv.
1611. Cotgr., Imbecillement, weakly … forcelessly.
