portionless en · ADJ
Etymology
Etymology tree Latin portiōder. Old French porcionbor. Middle English porcioun English portion Proto-Indo-European *lewh₁- Proto-Indo-European *lewHs-der. Proto-Germanic *leusaną Proto-Germanic *lausaz Proto-Germanic *-lausaz Proto-West Germanic *-laus Old English -lēas Middle English -les English -less English portionless From portion + -less.
Meanings
-
Lacking a portion; especially, without a dowry.
‘So my child is portionless,’ resumed the earl, with a suppressed sigh.
1860, Ellen Wood, East Lynne, Penguin, published 2005, page 10:‘Be assured, if the youth were true, his father who is one of the proudest nobles about the court, would prohibit his union with one so humble and portionless as thou.’
1852, Washington Irving, Tales from the Alhambra:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| more portionless | Degree=Cmp | lexicographic | |
| most portionless | Degree=Sup | lexicographic |