Langimage
English

lane-less

|lane/less|

B2

🇺🇸

/ˈleɪnləs/

🇬🇧

/ˈleɪn.ləs/

without lanes

Etymology
Etymology Information

'lane-less' originates from English, specifically the word 'lane' combined with the suffix '-less', where 'lane' meant 'a narrow way' and '-less' meant 'without'.

Historical Evolution

'lane' comes from early English usage meaning 'a narrow way' and the suffix '-less' comes from Old English '-lēas' meaning 'free from' or 'without'. The modern compound 'lane-less' formed by combining these elements to describe something lacking lanes.

Meaning Changes

Initially, 'lane' meant 'a narrow way' and '-less' meant 'without'; over time the compound came to be used specifically to describe roads or paths that lack marked lanes, giving the current meaning 'without lanes'.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

noun form of 'lane-less' (the state or quality of having no lanes).

The lane-lessness of many country roads contributes to slower travel times.

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Adjective 1

having no lanes; lacking marked traffic lanes (usually describes a road or path without lane markings).

The rural road was lane-less and drivers had to take turns when passing.

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Adjective 2

variant spelling of 'lane-less' (alternative, hyphen-free form).

Many maps label the track as laneless rather than lane-less.

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Adverb 1

adverb form of 'lane-less' (in a manner that lacks lanes).

They drove lanelessly along the narrow mountain track.

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Last updated: 2025/08/24 16:13