defenseless

• defenceless

From defense + -less.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /dɪˈfɛnsləs/

• Audio (US):

  (file)

defenseless (comparative more defenseless, superlative most defenseless)

1. Lacking any form of defense; vulnerable; open to attack.
   • 1913, Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Return of Tarzan, New York: Ballantine Books, published 1963, page 44:

     Her look, her attitude, her words were eloquent of the age-old appeal of defenseless woman to her natural protector—man.

   • 1995, Tom Linskey, Race Winning Strategies:

     On the port tack layline , you're defenseless against starboard tackers — you have to dip them , no matter how much you may lose doing it — and the wind shadow of boats spinnakering away from the mark can cost you plenty.