sinless

the word sinless is a transparent compound formed within english from its germanic roots. the first element, sin, descends from the old english synn, a concept deeply embedded in germanic religious and moral thought, denoting an act that breaches divine law. the second element is the suffix -less, from old english -lēas, originally meaning "free from" or "devoid of." the literal construction "without sin" directly and logically yields the modern abstract meaning of moral purity or innocence. this pattern of attaching -less to a noun to create an adjective meaning "lacking x" is a highly productive feature in english word formation.

Structure: sin (transgression) + less (without) sin: from old english synn, meaning "moral wrongdoing, offense against god, guilt." of germanic origin. less: a suffix from old english -lēas, meaning "free from, without." of germanic origin.