a. and adv. [f. QUESTION sb. + -LESS.]
A. adj. 1. Not admitting of question; unquestionable, indubitable.
1532. More, Confut. Tindale, Wks. 814/2. Thys questionlesse and cleare vndowted churche.
c. 1611. Chapman, Iliad, IV. 17. The conquest yet is questionless.
1642. J. Eaton, Honey-c. Free Justif., 81. It is questionlesse that all our sins are in Gods sight.
1862. Lytton, Str. Story, II. 37. Reft from my senses are the laws which gave order and place to their old questionless realm.
1870. Lowell, Among My Books, Ser. I. (1873), 226. He … remained always its born and questionless master.
2. That asks no questions; unquestioning.
1880. L. Wallace, Ben Hur, 498. With the same clear mind and questionless faith.
B. adv. Without question, beyond all question; unquestionably; undoubtedly.
In common use from about 1550 to 1750; since then somewhat rare.
1412–20. Lydg., Chron. Troy, II. xix. And questionles reporte this of me That [etc.].
1550. Bale, Eng. Votaries, Q iv. Questionlesse theyr brutishe heades are to blockish.
1624. Capt. Smith, Virginia, 107. If they … had not so soone returned, questionlesse the Indians would haue destroied the Fort.
1676. Hale, Contempl., I. 83. Each did questionless make a deep impression upon our Saviour.
1760–72. H. Brooke, Fool of Qual. (1809), IV. 23. The first man who came into the world was, questionless, the most perfect.
1809. Malkin, Gil Blas, VII. xiii. ¶ 6. Questionless, said I, talents like yours are convertible to every purpose.
1866. Geo. Eliot, F. Holt, v. A young man … who can questionless write a good hand and keep books.
Hence Questionlessly adv. a. = QUESTIONLESS B. b. Without asking questions.
1658. Earl Monm., trans. Paruta’s Wars Cyprus, 169. The advantage of the League, which was questionlesly known, would be very great.
1865. Mrs. Whitney, Gayworthys, II. 175. To-day, still calmly, questionlessly, he did more.
1877. Ruskin, Fors Clav., lxxx. 225. Being simply and questionlessly father-laws from the beginning.
