armlessness
|arm-less-ness|
🇺🇸
/ˈɑrmləsnəs/
🇬🇧
/ˈɑːmləsnəs/
without arms; lacking means or weapons
Etymology
'armlessness' originates from modern English, specifically from the adjective 'armless' plus the suffix '-ness', where 'armless' is formed from 'arm' + the suffix '-less' and '-ness' is a nominalizing suffix meaning 'state or condition'.
'arm' comes from Old English 'earm' (Germanic), '-less' comes from Old English '-lēas' meaning 'without', and '-ness' from Old English '-nes(s)e'; the adjective 'armless' (Middle English armlēs) produced the noun 'armlessness' by addition of '-ness' in later English.
Initially the components meant 'arm' (limb) and 'without', so the compound originally denoted the physical lack of arms; over time it also acquired figurative senses of lacking means or power (i.e., being unarmed or powerless).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the state or condition of lacking one or both arms (physical absence of the upper limbs).
The child's armlessness required the use of prosthetic limbs.
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Noun 2
a figurative lack of means, weapons, or power; powerlessness or inability to act effectively.
Many criticized the government's armlessness in responding to the crisis.
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Last updated: 2025/10/16 18:34