toothless
UK: ˈtuːθləs | US: ˈtuːθləs
adj. lacking teeth
adj. (figuratively) ineffective or powerless
The word "toothless" combines "tooth," derived from Old English tōþ (related to chewing or biting), and the suffix "-less," from Old English -lēas, meaning "devoid of." The compound emerged in Middle English to describe physical absence of teeth, later extending metaphorically to imply weakness or ineffectiveness (e.g., "a toothless law"). The logic is straightforward: just as missing teeth reduce biting power, the suffix "-less" conveys absence of a defining trait.
The elderly dog was toothless but still enjoyed gumming soft food.
Critics called the new regulations toothless because they lacked enforcement mechanisms.
A toothless grin revealed the baby’s gums.
Without sanctions, the agreement would be toothless.
The vampire in the cartoon was comically toothless.