punchless en · ADJ
Etymology
Etymology tree English punch 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 punchless From punch + -less.
Meanings
-
Without punches.
a punchless fight
-
Without punch, the drink.
a punchless Christmas party
-
Failing to strike; ineffective.
The Knicks were punchless early, falling behind by 30-19 after the first quarter.
2007 February 15, Howard Beck, “For Knicks, Another Game That Epitomizes Their Season”, in New York Times:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| most punchless | Degree=Sup | lexicographic | |
| more punchless | Degree=Cmp | lexicographic |