helpless

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   unable to manage independently

   as helpless as a baby

2. 2
   adj

   lacking in or deprived of strength or power

   lying ill and helpless

3. 3
   adj

   Unable to defend oneself.

   Then when you find yourself lyin' helpless in her arms You know you really love a woman

4. 4
   adj

   Lacking help; powerless.

   A gaoler struck him, pushing him back in place in the hopeless, helpless line of prisoners.

5. 5
   adj

   Uncontrollable.

   a helpless urge

6. 6
   adj

   From which there is no possibility of being saved.

   For, while they fly that gulf's devouring jawes, They on the rock are rent and sunck in helplesse wawes.

7. 7
   adj

   unable to function

8. 8
   adj

   Unable to act without help; needing help; feeble.

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”).