'speechlessness' originates from the Old English word 'sprǣc,' meaning 'speech,' combined with the suffix '-less,' indicating absence, and '-ness,' forming a noun.

'speechless' evolved from the Old English 'sprǣclēas,' meaning 'without speech,' and eventually became 'speechlessness' in modern English.

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