Also laisser-aller. [Fr.; as next + aller to go, i.e., let (persons or things) go.] Absence of restraint; unconstrained ease and freedom.
1842. Thackeray, Miss Löwe, Misc. Ess. (1885), 310. As Wilder said with some justice, though with a good deal too much laisser-aller of tongue. Ibid. (1862), Philip II., xxi. Sir John … was constrained to confess that this young man’s conduct showed a great deal too much laissez aller.
attrib. 1818. Lady S. Morgan, Flor. Macarthy, II. iii. 178. He … found or fancied in her what he called the ‘delicious laissez aller ease of a charming French woman.’
1832. Ld. Lytton, Godolphin, xx. Those well-chosen laissez aller feasts.
1839. Dickens, Nich. Nick., Pref. A magnificent high-handed laissez-aller neglect.
