the word 'waterless' is a transparent compound formed within english from its native germanic elements. the first element, 'water', derives from the old english 'wæter', which can be traced back to the proto-indo-European root 'wod-ōr', itself from 'wed-', meaning 'water' or 'wet'. the suffix '-less' originates from old english '-lēas', meaning 'devoid of', from a proto-germanic base related to the verb 'to lose'. the literal construction 'water + less' directly yields the modern meaning 'without water', showcasing a straightforward and logical morphological process where the suffix negates the presence of the noun. this pattern is highly productive in english, creating adjectives like 'cloudless' and 'fearless'.

Structure: water (the liquid) + less (without) - water: from old english 'wæter', of proto-germanic origin; related to dutch 'water' and german 'wasser'. functions as the noun root denoting the liquid. - less: from old english '-lēas', meaning 'devoid of, free from', of proto-germanic origin. functions as a suffix forming adjectives meaning 'without'.