Definition of bloodless

The word "bloodless" is a compound word formed from the Old English words "blōd" (meaning "blood") and "lēas" (meaning "lacking" or "without"). The suffix "-less" is a common English suffix indicating absence or lack. So, "bloodless" literally means "without blood." This word likely emerged in Old English as a descriptive term for something lacking blood, either literally (like a corpse) or metaphorically (like a battle with no casualties). Its use has since expanded to encompass a range of meanings, from medical conditions to emotional states.