a. [f. SWORD sb. + -LESS.] Destitute of a sword; not having, carrying, or using a sword.
c. 1440. Partonope, 4334. Hys. swerde he smotte a-geyne the gysharne Be the hylt hit brake,… The danys were gladde … For swerdeles was Partonope.
1470–85. Malory, Arthur, I. v. 41. And so I thought my broder syr kay shold not be swerdles.
a. 1814. Spaniards, III. i., in New Brit. Theatre, III. 224. My hand … Instinctive rushes to my swordless side.
1815. Byron, Parisina, ix. With swordless belt, and fetter’d hand.
1883. Whittier, Our Country, xviii. The swordless commonwealth of Penn.
1889. Corbett, Monk, xiii. 187. In their midst rode Lambert with swordless scabbard.
