purposelessly
English
Etymology
Etymology tree
From purposeless + -ly.
Adverb
purposelessly (comparative more purposelessly, superlative most purposelessly)
- In a purposeless manner; to no end; for no reason.
- 1907, Barbara Baynton, edited by Sally Krimmer and Alan Lawson, Human Toll (Portable Australian Authors: Barbara Baynton), St Lucia: University of Queensland Press, published 1980, page 216:
- The sparse grey locks he combed were fewer and greyer: and though the accustomed mouth circle was as obdurately set as of old, his head waggled purposelessly: and his hands fumbled stiffly as he folded and replaced his pocket comb.