a. [f. as prec. + -LESS.] Devoid of conscience, conscientious scruples, or moral sense; characterized by habitual disregard of conscience or of moral law.
a. 1420. Hoccleve, De Reg. Princ., 23. Whan I was yonge, I was fulle recheles … And amonge other conscienceles.
1583. Babington, Commandm., vi. (1637), 54. As did the Judges of Susanna, and as many consciencelesse men in these dayes doe.
a. 1600. Hooker, Eccl. Pol., VII. xxiv. § 7. Conscienceless and wicked patrons.
1606. Bp. Hall, Medit., II. § 77. Riches come seldom easily, to a good man; seldom hardly, to the conscienceless.
1881. A. M. Fairbairn, Stud. Life Christ, xiii. 222. A seared and conscienceless ruffian.
b. transf. of actions, etc.
1588. Allen, Admon., 24. By which Machivelian, godlesse, and consciencelesse course.
1623. R. Bernard, Look beyond Luther, Ep. Ded. 3. A iust punishment … for their consciencelesse liuing.
1883. American, VII. 187. The stigma of conscienceless policy.
Hence Consciencelessly adv., Consciencelessness.
a. 1603. T. Cartwright, Confut. Rhem. N. T. (1618), 694. So securely and consciencelesly to passe by the least of Gods commandements.
1882. Spectator, 22 April, 522. [It] shows the … consciencelessness of the Secret Committee.
