Search the Dictionary

Unless. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

The person to whom a lease is given, or who takes an estate by lease. Blackstone.

To make less; to reduce; to make smaller, or fewer; to diminish; to lower; to degrade; as, to lessen a kingdom, or a population; to lessen speed, rank, fortune. Charity . . . shall lessen his punishment. Calamy. St. Paul chose to magnify his office when ill men conspired to lessen it. Atterbury.

One who, or that which, lessens. His wife . . . is the lessener of his pain, and the augmenter of his pleasure. J. Rogers (1839).

Less; smaller; inferior. God made . . . the lesser light to rule the night. Gen. i. 15.

The leavings or dung of beasts.

cept, experience, observation, or deduction; a precept; a doctrine; as, to take or give a lesson in drawing." A smooth and pleasing lesson." Milton. Emprinteth well this lesson in your mind. Chaucer.

One who leases; the person who lets to farm, or gives a lease. Blackstone.

Without accent.

Void of action.

Without action or spirit. [R.]

Free from affliction.

Without old age limits of duration; as, fountains of ageless youth.

Helpless; without aid. Milton.

Without aim or purpose; as, an aimless life. -- Aim"less*ly, adv. -- Aim"less*ness, n.

Not open to a free current of air; wanting fresh air, or communication with the open air.

Without an aisle.

Devoid of ambition. Pollok.

Without an anchor or stay. Hence: Drifting; unsettled.

Having no answer, or impossible to be answered. Byron.