'speechless' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'spēċlēas', where 'spēċ' meant 'speech' and '-lēas' meant 'without'.

'spēċlēas' transformed into the Middle English word 'specheles', and eventually became the modern English word 'speechless'.

Initially, it meant 'without speech', and over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'unable to speak due to emotion'.