"unable to act for oneself," c. 1200, from help (n.) + -less. Related: Helplessly; helplessness. In Middle English and later sometimes "unable to give help, affording no help" (late 14c.), but this never was common.
lying ill and helpless
helpless with laughter
as helpless as a baby
helot
help
helper
helpful
helping
helpless
helpmate
helpmeet
helter-skelter
helve
Helvetian
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