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lidless

UK[ˈlɪd.ləs]US[ˈlɪd.ləs]
adj

having no lid or cover

adj

(especially of eyes) wide open, as if staring

Morpheme Breakdown

lid
less
lid

cover

less

without

Etymology

the word 'lidless' is a transparent english compound formed from two native old english elements. the first element, 'lid', descends from proto-germanic hlid-, meaning a cover, and is cognate with words like dutch 'lid' and german 'deckel'. the suffix '-less' originates from the old english adjective 'lēas', meaning devoid of or free from, which itself stems from a proto-germanic root. the combination follows a straightforward english morphological pattern where '-less' is appended to a noun to create an adjective denoting the absence of that noun. its application to eyes, as in 'lidless eyes', is a figurative extension, evoking an image of an eye that cannot or does not close its lid, thus appearing perpetually open and watchful.

Analysis

Structure: lid (cover) + less (without) lid (old english, noun, meaning a cover or top); less (old english, adjective-forming suffix, meaning without, lacking)

Examples

she stared at him with lidless intensity.

the ancient well was now a lidless pit, open to the sky.

in his nightmare, he was pursued by a creature with lidless, glowing eyes.

lidless – Meaning, Etymology & Word Origin | OpenEtymology