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( suffix )   -less   

Dictionary of botanic terminology - index of names

     
  A privative adjective suffix , denoting without, lacking, destitute of,
not having; 
 

The -less suffix is the only suffix that changes the meaning of the base word and it is often used to convey the negative or opposite of words ending in -ful, as in careful/careless and fearful/fearless.
But -less was also used to coin words that had no counterpart ending in -ful: headless, loveless, motherless. Although -less normally forms adjectives by attaching to nouns, sometimes it attaches to verbs, as in tireless.
Often he suffixes - less and -free can be used quite interchangeably, normally, usage prescribes one OR the other. (as in: sugarless or sugarfree)


For example : soilless

 

 

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