Kindless

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Lacking any form of kindness or compassion, this term describes an absence of generosity or consideration in both attitude and interaction with others
2. This describes a state marked by a complete deficiency in warmth, benevolence, and any generous spirit toward others
3. Having no trace of kindness or warmth in behavior or feeling

Etymology: Kindless is a plain compound: "kind" in its old sense of "inherent quality, nature," plus the suffix "-less," meaning "without." Its literal sense was "without natural qualities," and in Middle English a related form, "kindelæs," meant incapable of producing offspring, or barren. The word's meaning has since moved from that biological sense toward a human one. The sense we use now, "destitute of kindness" or devoid of warmth, probably owes much to the more familiar adjective "kind," meaning benevolent or affectionate. Over time, the word's sense seems to have been pulled toward that adjective, so a word built on the idea of lacking one's natural character came to describe lacking goodwill. The change happened gradually, and the earlier "unnatural" sense faded from common use.