profitless en · ADJ
Etymology
Etymology tree English profit 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 profitless From profit + -less.
Meanings
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not yielding profit
I pray thee, cease thy counsel, Which falls into mine ears as profitless As water in a sieve...
1600, Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| more profitless | Degree=Cmp | lexicographic | |
| most profitless | Degree=Sup | lexicographic |