Lawless, a. — Webster enters it under “lawless”
1. Contrary to, or unauthorized by, law; illegal; as, a lawless claim. He needs no indirect nor lawless course. Shak.
2. Not subject to, or restrained by, the law of morality or of society; as, lawless men or behavior.
3. Not subject to the laws of nature; uncontrolled. Or, meteorlike, flame lawless through the void. Pope. -- Law"less*ly, adv. -- Law"less*ness, n.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for lawlessness; he lists it under revolution.
Where he writes about it:
Lawlessness is a temper of mind or condition of the community which may result in anarchy. — from revolution
Confusion, disorder, riot, and tumult are incidental and temporary outbreaks of lawlessness, but may not be anarchy. — from revolution