headless — English Dictionary

Adjective

1. Without a head (body part). Synonym of decapitated.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Synonyms

   beheadeddeheaded

   Examples

   How did the headless horseman see to chase Ichabod?

2. Without a head (body part). Naturally having and needing no head.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   headless invertebrates

3. Without a head (hardware or device feature).

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Synonyms

   unheaded

   Examples

   a headless nail; a headless set screw

4. Without leadership.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Synonyms

   leaderless

   Examples

   The headless army blundered along after the death of their general, accomplishing nothing.

   More examples (1)

   His forsaken soldiers, being now a headless company, and no longer an army to be feared, obtained nevertheless a reasonable composition from the Carthaginians […]

5. Not having a head morpheme or word.

   Usage

   • not-comparable
   • of a phrase or compound

6. Running without a graphical user interface; running without any attached output device (e.g., monitor) or input device (e.g., keyboard, mouse).

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   /redirect. Used for console redirection in headless servers.

   Routers typically run headless, without a keyboard or monitor.

   More examples (1)

   This is not unexpected for a Windows system running as a virtual machine or a headless server,[…]

7. Without a head of foam.

   Usage

   • not-comparable
   • of beer

8. Heedless.

   Usage

   • not-comparable
   • Obsolete

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   1579, E. K. (Edward Kirke?), Notes on Spenser’s The Shepheardes Calender If any one will rashly blame such his choice of old and unwonted words, him may I more justly blame and condemn, either of witless headiness in judging, or of headless hardiness in condemning.

   THENOT: Cuddy, I wot thou kenſt little Good, / So vainly to advance thy headleſs Hood.

9. Rimless, not having a cartridge case rim (flange).

   Usage

   • not-comparable
   • Obsolete

   Examples

   A headless shell doesn't have a flange.

Adjective

1. not having a head or formed without a head

   Antonyms

   headed

   Examples

   the headless horseman

   brads are headless nails

2. not using intelligence

   Synonyms

   brainless