redlös

Swedish

Etymology

By surface analysis, reda (“take care of (oneself), order”) +‎ -lös (“-less”). Likely from Middle Low German redelōs. If so, the first syllable is closer in meaning to rädda (“rescue”), thus originally "helpless". Compare origin of Dutch reddeloos, German rettlos, Icelandic reiðalauss.

Adjective

redlös (not comparable)

2. very drunk, perhaps to the point of not being able to take care of oneself
3. (nautical, of a vessel) disabled (unmaneuverable)

   Båten drev redlöst

   The boat was adrift

Usage notes

Often as "redlöst berusad" in (sense 1).

Inflection

Inflection of redlös

Indefinite	positive	comparative	superlative1
common singular	redlös	—	—
neuter singular	redlöst	—	—
plural	redlösa	—	—
masculine plural2	redlöse	—	—
Definite	positive	comparative	superlative
masculine singular3	redlöse	—	—
all	redlösa	—	—

¹ The indefinite superlative forms are only used in the predicative.
² Dated or archaic.
³ Only used, optionally, to refer to things whose natural gender is masculine.

References

• redlös in Svensk ordbok (SO)
• redlös in Svenska Akademiens ordlista (SAOL)
• redlös in Svenska Akademiens ordbok (SAOB)
• redlöst in Svenskt nautiskt lexikon (1920)
• Terms with translations from the Swedish Maritime Administration