a. [f. KNOT sb.1 + -LESS.] Without a knot, free from knots (in various senses of the sb.); unknotted. In first quot. quasi-adv. like a thread without knots, smoothly, without check or hindrance.

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c. 1374.  Chaucer, Troylus, V. 769. Bothe Troylus and Troye toun Shal knotles thorugh out here herte slyde.

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1589.  Fleming, Virg. Georg., II. 21. Or else the knotles trunks are cut againe.

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1717.  Congreve, trans. Ovid’s Met., Orph. & Euryd., X. 153, Wks. 1810, 508/1. Here silver firs with knotless trunks ascend.

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1792.  Burns, My Tocher’s the Jewel. Ye’ll slip frae me like a knotless thread.

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1822.  [W. Maginn], in Blackw. Mag., XII. 711/2. The manufacture of threadless, knotless, endless, useless mysteries, tragedies, and dramas.

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1849.  Mrs. Carlyle, Lett., II. 70. I slipt away from them like a knotless thread.

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