— joblessness , n.
/job"lis/ , adj.
1. without a job.
2. noting or pertaining to persons without jobs, esp. to those who are seeking employment.
n.
3. ( used with a pl. v. ) unemployed people collectively, esp. those who are seeking a job (usually prec. by the ).
[ 1800-10; JOB 1 + -LESS ]