An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

An adjective suffix meaning “without.”

Etymology (EN): M.E. -les, from O.E. -leas, from leas “free (from), devoid (of), false;” cf. Du. -loos, Ger. -los “-less,” , O.N. lauss “loose, free, vacant,” M.Du. los, Ger. los “loose, free,” Goth. laus “empty, vain.”

Etymology (PE): Bi- privative prefix, → a-.