sapless

sap +‎ -less

sapless (comparative more sapless, superlative most sapless)

1. (of a plant) Lacking in sap.
   • 1820, Percy Bysshe Shelley, “Ode to the West Wind,” III, in Prometheus Unbound, with Other Poems, London: C. & J. Ollier, pp. 191-192,

     […] Thou

     For whose path the Atlantic’s level powers

     Cleave themselves into chasms, while far below

     The sea-blooms and the oozy woods which wear

     The sapless foliage of the ocean, know

     Thy voice, and suddenly grow grey with fear,

     And tremble to despoil themselves: O, hear!

   • 1861, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Elsie Venner, Boston: Ticknor & Fields, Volume I, Chapter 13, p. 234,

     Below, all their earthward-looking branches are sapless and shattered, splintered by the weight of many winters’ snows; above, they are still green and full of life, but their summits overtop all the deciduous trees around them, and in their companionship with heaven they are alone.

2. (figuratively, of a person etc.) Lacking vivacity.
   • 1591, William Shakespeare, Henry VI, Part 2, Act IV, Scene 5,

     O young John Talbot! I did send for thee

     To tutor thee in stratagems of war,

     That Talbot’s name might be in thee revived

     When sapless age and weak unable limbs

     Should bring thy father to his drooping chair.

   • 1633, George Herbert, “Nature” in The Temple, 5th edition, Cambridge University, 1638,

     O smooth my rugged heart, and there

     Engrave thy rev’rend Law and fear:

     Or make a new one, since the old

     Is saplesse grown,

     And a much fitter stone

     To hide my dust, then thee to hold.

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