释义 |
faultless, a.|ˈfɔːlt-, ˈfɒltlɪs| [f. fault n. + -less.] Free from fault. 1. Without defect, imperfection, or blemish; irreproachable. Said with reference to moral character, physical or intellectual qualities, workmanship, beauty, etc.
13..E.E. Allit. P. B. 794 Of alle feturez ful fyn & fautlez boþe. c1340Gaw. & Gr. Knt. 640 Fyrst he watz funden fautlez in his fyue wyttes. a1674Clarendon Hist. Reb. ix. (1843) 577/1 A very faultless young man. 1709Pope Ess. Crit. 253 Whoever thinks a faultless piece to see, Thinks what ne'er was, nor is, nor e'er shall be. 1770Junius Lett. xxxix. 203 A fautless, insipid equality. 1853Kane Grinnell Exp. xii. (1856) 88 A singularly beautiful bird, faultless in its purity of white. 1868Freeman Norm. Conq. (1876) II. x. 506 The faultless model of a ruler. 1883Gilmour Mongols xxxi. 358 Resplendent in yellow coats and faultless hats. 2. That has committed no fault; that is not to blame; guiltless, innocent. Obs. exc. with mixture of sense 1.
1513More in Grafton Chron. II. 758 Finally were he faultie or faultlesse, attainted was he by Parliament. c1540Order in Battayll C iij b, As well for the fault⁓lesse, as the gyltie. 1624Fairfax Godfr. of Boulogne iii. 39 For our sinnes he faultlesse suffered paine. 1697Dryden Virg. Georg. iii. 710 Take the Traytor's Head, E'er in the faultless Flock the dire Contagion spread. [1855Macaulay Hist. Eng. IV. 305 Rochester..expressed a wish to be informed of the grounds on which the Admiral had been declared faultless.] †b. occas. transf. Not caused by any fault. Also in faultless pardon, a pardon for an alleged offence never committed. Obs.
1556J. Heywood Spider & F. ii. 151 To take all fautles falles, reioisinglie. 1597Hooker Eccl. Pol. v. lx. (1611) 317 In whome there is no other defect beside his faultlesse lacke of baptisme. 1752Carte Hist. Eng. III. 575 Obliging the most deserving of his subjects to ask a faultless pardon. |