a. Chiefly poet. [f. TAINT sb. + -LESS.] Free from taint; without stain or blemish; immaculate, clean, pure, innocent.

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1590.  Marlowe, 2nd Pt. Tamburl., IV. i. To flesh our taintless swords.

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1602.  Marston, Antonio’s Rev., IV. iii. Heaven permits not taintlesse bloode be spilt.

3

1776.  Mickle, trans. Camoens’ Lusiad, 333. His loyalty as taintless snow.

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1863.  Kingsley, Water-Babies, i. 44. To the golden sands, and the leaping bar, And the taintless tide that awaits me afar.

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1893.  in Barrows, Parl. Relig., I. 725. A pure, taintless, lofty, elevating … faith.

6

  Hence Taintlessly adv., without taint.

7

1846.  in Worcester.

8

1847.  in Webster; and in mod. Dicts.

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