Thornless

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Lacking the sharp protrusions typically found on certain vegetation
2. Referring to varieties of plants that do not have spines or prickles, making them easier to handle
3. Characterized by the absence of sharp, pointed structures commonly present on some types of plants

Etymology: "Thornless" is a plain compound: "thorn" with the suffix "-less," meaning "without." "Thorn" comes from Old English "þorn," a word shared with other Germanic languages, and "-less" comes from Old English "-lēas," meaning "devoid of" or "lacking." Put together, the word simply describes something without thorns. The suffix does the real work here. English has long attached "-less" to nouns to create adjectives meaning "without" the noun, so "thornless" follows the same pattern as "hopeless," "careless," or "sleepless." Gardeners and farmers have found the term useful for cultivars bred to lose their spines, such as blackberries and roses selected for smoother canes.

Synonyms: smooth, unarmed, non-spiny, harmless, innocuous

Antonyms: thorny, spiny, dangerous, harmful, hostile