rayless

[ rey-lis ]

adjective

1. lacking rays ray or raylike parts.
2. unlit, dark, or gloomy:

   a rayless cave.

rayless

/ ˈreɪlɪs /

adjective

1. dark; gloomy
2. lacking rays

   a rayless flower

Derived Forms

• ˈraylessly, adverb
• ˈraylessness, noun

Other Words From

• rayless·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of rayless¹

First recorded in 1735–45; ray ¹ + -less

Example Sentences

I pressed my lips to his once brilliant and now rayless eyes—I swept his hair from his brow, and kissed that too.

From Literature

The doubt of those we love; and more The rayless, dull despair, When trusted hearts are worthless found, And all our dreams are air--but air.

From Project Gutenberg

The sun had set, covered by a misty veil, contrasting with its habitual sumptuous purple; its rayless pallor was the sign of an extraordinary storm.

From Project Gutenberg

TRIMORPHÆ̀A. Like § 1, but a series of filiform rayless pistillate flowers within the outer row of ray-flowers; biennial or sometimes perennial.

From Project Gutenberg

That mandate from on high— The clarion call, That rung through earth and sky His rayless fall, In accents, "thou shalt die," again Proclaims man's dream of years—how vain!

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• black
• cloudy
• darkened
• dim
• dingy
• drab
• dull
• foggy
• gloomy
• misty
• murky
• overcast
• shadowy
• somber