helpless

Definition

Unable to defend oneself.

Etymology

From Middle English helples, from Old English *helplēas (“helpless”) from Proto-Germanic *helpōlausaz, equivalent to help + -less. Compare Dutch hulpeloos (“helpless”), German hilflos (“helpless”), Danish hjælpeløs (“helpless”) and Swedish hjälplös (“helpless”).

Example Sentences

• "Then when you find yourself lyin' helpless in her arms You know you really love a woman"
• "Rana Thanoptis: Are we good? Can I go? Shepard: You conducted brutal experiments on helpless test subjects. You helped Saren. You don't get to live."
• "A gaoler struck him, pushing him back in place in the hopeless, helpless line of prisoners."