masterless
English
Etymology
From Middle English masterles, maisterles, equivalent to master + -less. Compare Dutch meesterloos (“masterless”), German meisterlos (“masterless”), Icelandic meistaralaus (“masterless”).
Adjective
masterless (comparative more masterless, superlative most masterless)
- Lacking or deprived of a master.
- 1851 November 14, Herman Melville, “chapter 9”, in Moby-Dick; or, The Whale, 1st American edition, New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers; London: Richard Bentley, →OCLC:
- He goes down in the whirling heart of such a masterless commotion that he scarce heeds the moment when he drops seething into the yawning jaws awaiting him; and the whale shoots-to all his ivory teeth, like so many white bolts, upon his prison.
Usage notes
- Not the same as "free of a master".