the adjective 'tearless' is a transparent compound formed within english from the native germanic noun 'tear' and the equally native suffix '-less'. the old english noun 'tēar' can be traced back to proto-germanic 'tahrą' and further to the proto-indo-European root 'dakru-', which is the source for words denoting tears in many languages. the suffix '-less', from old english '-lēas', originally meant 'free from' or 'devoid of'. the combination is perfectly logical, creating a descriptive term for a state of being without tears, typically implying a lack of visible emotional distress or crying.

Structure: tear (a drop of liquid from the eye) + less (without) - tear (noun): from old english 'tēar', of germanic origin; related to old norse 'tár'. denotes the drop of liquid from the eye. - less (suffix): from old english '-lēas', meaning 'devoid of, free from'. a suffix forming adjectives meaning 'without'.