† freelessadj.

Etymology: Origin uncertain; perhaps < frail adj. + -less suffix (compare Middle Eng. Dict. at frēl(e for evidence of 15th-cent. use of frail adj. as noun in sense ‘(an instance of) moral weakness, sinfulness’, and compare also later frailful adj. at frail adj. Derivatives); alternatively, perhaps a borrowing < early Scandinavian (compare Old Icelandic frýjulauss blameless < frýja challenge, taunt ( < frýja to challenge, taunt: see frie v.) + -lauss -less suffix).Alternatively, M. Andrew and R. Waldron (in Poems Pearl Manuscript (1978) 74 (note)) suggest an emendation to fereles with an underlying sense ‘without equal’ ( < fere n.¹ + -less suffix).