a. Obs. Also 7 erron. frustaneous. [f. L. type *frustrāne-us (f. frustrā in vain) + -OUS. Cf. It. and Sp. frustraneo.] Vain, useless, ineffectual, unprofitable.
a. 1643. J. Shute, Judgem. & Mercy (1645), 4. Though hee saw how frustranious [sic] and empty all his intendments and purposes were.
1649. Milton, Eikon., 53. Where the Kings judgement may dissent, to the destruction, as it may happ’n, both of himself and the Kingdom, there advice, and no furder, is a most insufficient, and frustraneous meanes to be provided by Law, in cases of so high concernment.
1653. Gauden, Hierasp., 74. Nor it is agreeable to the methods of divine wisdom and goodness, to plans frustaneous and vain desires, or Tantalising tendencies in mans nature, which he hath done in no other Creature.
1665. G. Harvey, Advice agst. Plague, 25. This, if frustraneous, is fortified with Diascord. or Laudan. Op.
a. 1711. Ken, Hymns Festiv., Poet. Wks. 1721, I. 317.
| Their real Substance to evade, | |
| And have their Force frustraneous made. |
1780. J. Howie, Faithf. Contend., Pref. 10. It were frustraneous to insist upon a portrait of that here.
Hence † Frustraneously adv., vainly.
1689. G. Harvey, Curing Dis. by Expect., i. 2. Curing Diseases by Expectation, viz. The applying of Remedies, that do little hurt, and less good, from which the Patient day by day frustraneously expecting relief, and benefit, is at last deferred so long, that Nature, and Time have partially, or entirely, cured the Disease.
