selfless

the word 'selfless' is a modern english formation, combining the old english noun 'self', which denotes one's own person or identity, with the old english suffix '-less', meaning 'without' or 'lacking'. the concept of 'self' has deep germanic roots, traceable to proto-germanic selbaz, and ultimately to the proto-indo-european reflexive pronoun s(w)e-. the suffix '-less' originates from the old english adjective 'lēas', meaning 'devoid of'. the compound 'selfless' therefore literally means 'without self', a direct and logical construction where the absence of self-concern evolved into the modern abstract virtue of prioritizing others.

Structure: self (individual person) + less (without) self (old english, noun, meaning 'one's own person'); less (old english, suffix, meaning 'lacking, without').