a. [ AS. cearleás. ] 1. Free from care or anxiety. hence, cheerful; light-hearted. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ] Sleep she as sound as careless infancy. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Having no care; not taking ordinary or proper care; negligent; unconcerned; heedless; inattentive; unmindful; regardless. [ 1913 Webster ] My brother was too careless of his charge. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] He grew careless of himself. Steele. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Without thought or purpose; without due care; without attention to rule or system; unstudied; inconsiderate; spontaneous; rash; as, a careless throw; a careless expression. [ 1913 Webster ] He framed the careless rhyme. Beattie. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. Not receiving care; uncared for. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ] Their many wounds and careless harms. Spenser. Syn. -- Negligent; heedless; thoughtless; unthinking; inattentive; incautious; remiss; supine; forgetful; regardless; inconsiderate; listless. [ 1913 Webster ] |