Poisonless

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. A material devoid of toxic compounds is deemed safe for ingestion
2. Any substance that is free from poisonous elements is recognized as harmless
3. Lacking any harmful or toxic substances that can cause injury or illness

Etymology: "Poisonless" is about as transparent as English compounds get: it joins "poison," from Old French "poison" (drink, potion) and ultimately Latin "potio," to the suffix "-less," meaning "without." Literally, it describes something lacking poison. The suffix "-less" is an old Germanic element, descended from Old English "lēas," meaning "free from" or "lacking," and it has been productive for centuries, which is why English speakers can attach it almost anywhere. "Poison" itself began as a word for a drink or dose, and only gradually narrowed to mean a harmful substance, so the word carries a faint trace of that older sense of a dose.

Synonyms: harmless, safe

Antonyms: poisonous, toxic