HELPLESS

helpless

(adjective) unable to manage independently; “as helpless as a baby”

helpless, lost

(adjective) unable to function; without help

helpless, incapacitated

(adjective) lacking in or deprived of strength or power; “lying ill and helpless”; “helpless with laughter”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Adjective

helpless (comparative more helpless, superlative most helpless)

Unable to defend oneself.

Lacking help; powerless.

Unable to act without help; needing help; feeble.

Uncontrollable.

(obsolete) From which there is no possibility of being saved.

Source: Wiktionary

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Help"less, a.

1. Destitute of help or strength; unable to help or defend one's self; needing help; feeble; weak; as, a helpless infant. How shall I then your helpless fame defend Pope.

2. Beyond help; irremediable. Some helpless disagreement or dislike, either of mind or body. Milton.

3. Bringing no help; unaiding. [Obs.] Yet since the gods have been Helpless foreseers of my plagues. Chapman.

4. Unsupplied; destitute; -- with of. [R.] Helpless of all that human wants require. Dryden.

– Help"less*ly, adv.

– Help"less*ness, n.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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