Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun The state of being unavailing or useless.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun obsolete The quality of being unavailing or unprofitable.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

bootless +‎ -ness; see boot profit.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word bootlessness.

Examples

  • Daniel made no effort to conceal his bootlessness when the guests rose to leave the table; without giving the astonishment of his companions a single thought, he once more drew the patent leather torturers on to his extremities.

    Gänsemännchen. English Jakob Wassermann 1903

  • Selene had been convinced from the first of the bootlessness of the attempt, and was now anxious to bring the transaction to a speedy conclusion, as the hour was approaching when she and Arsinoe had to go to the papyrus factory.

    The Emperor — Volume 04 Georg Ebers 1867

  • Selene had been convinced from the first of the bootlessness of the attempt, and was now anxious to bring the transaction to a speedy conclusion, as the hour was approaching when she and Arsinoe had to go to the papyrus factory.

    The Emperor — Volume 04 Georg Ebers 1867

  • Selene had been convinced from the first of the bootlessness of the attempt, and was now anxious to bring the transaction to a speedy conclusion, as the hour was approaching when she and Arsinoe had to go to the papyrus factory.

    The Emperor — Volume 04 Georg Ebers 1867

  • Selene had been convinced from the first of the bootlessness of the attempt, and was now anxious to bring the transaction to a speedy conclusion, as the hour was approaching when she and Arsinoe had to go to the papyrus factory.

    The Emperor — Complete Georg Ebers 1867

  • Selene had been convinced from the first of the bootlessness of the attempt, and was now anxious to bring the transaction to a speedy conclusion, as the hour was approaching when she and Arsinoe had to go to the papyrus factory.

    Complete Project Gutenberg Georg Ebers Works Georg Ebers 1867

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.