thornless
Meaning
having no thorns or spines
Structure
Usage
the horticulturist developed a new, thornless variety of blackberry for easier picking.
she prefers thornless roses for her garden to avoid getting scratched.
the cactus appeared thornless, but it had tiny, almost invisible glochids.
Etymology
the word 'thornless' is a straightforward english compound formed by combining the noun 'thorn' with the suffix '-less'. 'thorn' has deep germanic roots, tracing back to proto-germanic þurnuz and ultimately to the proto-indo-european root (s)ter-, meaning 'stiff, rigid'. the suffix '-less' originates from the old english adjective lēas, meaning 'devoid of', which itself evolved from a noun meaning 'loss'. the logic of the word is entirely transparent in modern english: it literally describes a plant that is 'devoid of thorns', directly conveying the absence of the sharp, protective structures found on species like roses or blackberries.
Analysis
thorn: from old english þorn, of germanic origin; a noun meaning a stiff, sharp-pointed projection on a plant. less: from old english -lēas, an adjective-forming suffix meaning 'devoid of, free from'.