A.without end, i.e.,
1. not brought to an end or issue, unaccomplished, “τῷ κε καὶ οὐκ ἀ. θάνατος μνηστῆρσι γένοιτο” Od.17.546; εἰρήνη ἐγένετο ἀ. the peace was not brought about, X.HG4.8.15; τὰ μὲν λελεγμένα ἄρρητ᾽ ἐγώ σοι κἀτελῆ φυλάξομαι unaccomplished, i. e. harmless, S.El.1012.
2. incomplete, unfinished, “ἀτελῆ σοφίας καρπὸν δρέπειν” Pi.Fr.209; “ἀτελεῖ τῇ νίκῃ . . ἀνέστησαν” Th.8.27; of a building, ib.40; without end or purpose, “ἡ φύσις οὐθὲν . . ἀτελὲς ποιεῖ” Arist.Pol.1256b21.
3. inchoate, imperfect, of growth, Hp.Art.41 (Comp.); “ᾠὰ ἀ.” Arist.GA733a2; ζῷα ib.774b5; πολῖται ἀ., of minors, Id.Pol.1275a17; “ἀ. συλλογισμός” Id.APr.24a13; “ἀ. ποιεῖν τινά” castrate, Luc.Syr.D.20: Comp. “-έστερος” less highly developed, Phlp.in Ph.898.29. Adv. “-λῶς” incompletely, Arist.Pol.1275a13, dub. in Plu.2.472f.
5. indeterminate, Id.Phlb.24b; “τὸ μὲν ἄπειρον ἀ. ἡ δὲ φύσις ἀεὶ ζητεῖ τέλος” Arist.GA715b14, cf. Pol.1256b21.
II. Act., not bringing to an end, not accomplishing one's purpose, ineffectual, “ἀτελεῖ νόῳ” Pi.N.3.42; of persons, “ἀποπέμπειν τινά” Pl.Smp.179d; ἀ. περὶ τὸ κρίνειν imperfectly fitted for . . , Arist.Pol.1281b38; “ἀ. εἴς τι” Ph. 2.417: c. inf., unable to do effectually, “ἄκυρος καὶ ἀ. σῶσαι” And.4.9; invalid, “δίκα” Michel 196 (Elis).
2. not giving accomplishment to a thing, “μαντεύμασι” Pi.P.5.62.
III. (τέλος IV) free from tax or tribute, Hdt. 2.168, 3.91, Lys.32.24: c.gen., ἀ. τῶν ἄλλων free from all other taxes, Hdt.1.192; καρπῶν ἀ. free from tithe on produce, Id.6.46; exempt, “λῃτουργιῶν” D.21.155; στρατείας ib.166, cf. IG22.1132.12, Arist.Pol. 1270b4; τοῦ ἄλλου (sc. φόρου) IG1.40; μετοικίου ib.2.121.