ˈhärtlə̇s, ˈhȧt- adjective
Etymology: Middle English hertles, from hert heart + -les -less
1. : devoid of heart
2.
a. archaic : lacking courage or zeal : spiritless , despondent
b. : lacking feeling or affection : unsympathetic , cruel
it seems so heartless to leave her — G.B.Shaw
a heartless mother, a false wife — W.M.Thackeray
• heart·less·ly adverb
• heart·less·ness noun -es