a. [f. KIND sb. + -LESS.]
† 1. Without natural power, affection, feeling, etc.; unnatural. Obs. rare.
c. 1200. Ormin, 2310. Elysabæþ … Þatt ta wass swiþe winntredd wif, And kindelæs to tæmenn.
1599. Peele, David & Bethsabe, Wks. (Rtldg.), 466/2. Amnon’s lusty arms Sinew’d with vigour of his kindless love.
1602. Shaks., Ham., II. ii. 609. Remorselesse, Treacherous, Letcherous, kindles villaine!
2. [As if f. KIND a.] Devoid of kindness. rare.
1847. Graham’s Mag., March, 204/1. Calculated to draw out their true nature, whether it were kind or kindless.
1881. G. Macdonald, Mary Marston, xxxvii. It was a sad, gloomy, kindless November night.
1887. Swinburne, Locrine, III. ii. 75. One that had No thought less kindly—toward even thee that art Kindless—than best beseems a kinsman’s part.
Hence Kindlessly adv., without affection.
1883. R. W. Dixon, Mano, I. xi. 32. I was … by my parents kindlessly designed To marry one whom fate my equal made.
