hairless

the word 'hairless' is a transparent compound formed within english from its native germanic elements. the first element, 'hair', descends from the old english 'hær', a term with deep germanic roots referring to the body filament. the second element is the suffix '-less', originating from old english '-lēas', which meant 'devoid of' and is related to the verb 'to lose'. when combined, the literal construction 'devoid of hair' directly and logically yields the modern adjective meaning 'bald or smooth'. this pattern of attaching '-less' to a noun to indicate absence is a highly productive and native method of word formation in english.

Structure: hair (strand growing from skin) + less (without) - hair: from old english 'hær', of germanic origin; related to dutch 'haar' and german 'haar'. denotes the filaments growing from the skin of mammals. - less: from old english '-lēas', meaning 'devoid of, free from'. a suffix forming adjectives meaning 'without'.