a. [f. CHARGE sb. + -LESS.]
† 1. Free from charge or cost, inexpensive. Obs.
1599. T. M[oufet], Silkwormes, 71. How easie and chargelesse a thing it is to keepe silkworms.
1614. Bp. Hall, Recoll. Treat., 1034. Where are those worldlings … which could be content to do God chargelesse seruice?
1691. T. H[ale], Acc. New Invent., 25. So certain, speedy and chargeless an Expedient.
1702. C. Mather, Magn. Chr., VII. iii. (1852), 521. The ministers have, at their own united expences, employed minister to make a chargeless tender of preaching among them.
2. Without a (clerical or pastoral) charge.
1839. Carlyle, Chartism, x. 185. Briefless lawyers, chargeless clergy.
1886. Chicago Advance, 21 Oct., 665. Every pastorless church and chargeless pastor.
3. Not loaded. (rare.)
1881. Mrs. Holman Hunt, Childr. Jerus., 80. In his hand he held his father’s chargeless pistol.
