heartless

The story

1. Old English · inherited fromheortlēas“without courage; listless”
2. Middle English · inherited fromhertles
3. English todayheartless

From Middle English hertles, herteles, from Old English heortlēas (“without courage; listless”), equivalent to heart + -less. Cognate with German herzlos.

First known use, by meaning

• from 16th c. Without feeling, emotion, or concern for others; uncaring; cruel.
• from 15th c. Without a physical heart.
• from 14th c. Listless, unenthusiastic.
• 10th–19th c. Without courage; fearful, cowardly.