kindless

English

Etymology

From kind (“inherent quality, nature”) +‎ less. Compare Middle English kindelæs (“incapable of generation, barren”).

Adjective

kindless (comparative more kindless, superlative most kindless)

1. (archaic, literary) Destitute of kindness; unnatural.
   • c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene ii]:

     Remorseless, treacherous, lecherous, kindless villain!

   • 1771, Hugh Kelly, Clementina, London: Edward & Charles Dilly and T. Cadell, Act III, p. ,^[1]

     Kneel not to me, ungrateful, kindless girl!

     I have been prostrate at your feet in vain.

   • 1902, E. W. Hornung, chapter 10, in The Shadow of the Rope‎^[2], New York: Scribner, pages 111–112:

     The Normanthorpe roses, famous throughout the north of England, were as yet barely budding in the kindless wind […]

Antonyms

• kindful