Definition of helplessly

The word "helplessly" has its roots in Old English and Old Norse. The prefix "hel-," which comes from Old English, means "whole" or "unbroken," and the suffix "-less" comes from Old Norse, meaning "without" or "lacking." Together, the words "hel-," meaning "whole," and "-less," meaning "without," formed "helpless," which originally meant "incapable of helping oneself." Over time, the word evolved to take on the sense of being unable to help oneself or others in a particular situation. The adverbial form "helplessly" emerged in the 15th century, conveying the idea of being helpless or powerless in a given context. Today, the word is commonly used to describe feelings of despair, hopelessness, or inability to cope with a difficult situation.