Offenceless

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Not causing any offence, insult, or hurt feelings in any situation
2. Free from any actions or words that might upset or anger others
3. Characterized by being gentle in speech or manner so as to avoid offending anyone

Etymology: "Offenceless" is a plain formation: the noun "offence" with the suffix "-less," which turns a noun into an adjective meaning "without" that thing. So the word literally means "without offence," and it is built the same way as familiar words like "careless" or "harmless." The stem "offence" comes through Old French "offense" from Latin "offensa," a noun tied to "offendere," "to strike against," which gave English the sense of causing hurt or displeasure. Combining "offence" with "-less" yields a word for someone whose manner gives no cause for hurt feelings.

Synonyms: innocent, blameless