Dictionary

teethless en · ADJ

Etymology

From teeth + -less.

Meanings

1. Synonym of toothless (“without teeth”).
   • In Elena Castedo’s “Paradise,” delicious tropical fruits and sweets are the food of the rich, while teethless peasants lose their children to malnutrition and disease. 1990 November 18, Maria Nieves de Abajo, “South of the border: “Paradise” / By Elena Castedo […]”, in The Sunday Journal, 110th year, number 322, Albuquerque, N.M., section G, page 8:
   • In those combats every thing is opprobrious and repulsive—ay, every thing, from the teethless mouth, and the brutal looks of those degraded beings, to the preparations and precautions destined to prolong the combat. 1842 February 17, “Sport”, in The Morning Post, number 22,180, London, page 7, column 4:
   • People with teethless smiles, pudgy arms and near-bald heads don’t usually win beauty contests. 1998 July 19, “ET Infant Named ‘Little Baby Texas’ in Dallas Pageant”, in Tyler Courier-Times--Telegraph, volume 120, number 47, Tyler, Tex., page 4, column 1:
2. Synonym of toothless (“weak”).
   • Now they’ve come back with an ordinance that is completely teethless. It is way weaker than the one they had. 2015 April 10, Carmen George, “Tenants, advocates rally against poor rentals”, in The Fresno Bee, Fresno, Calif., page A4, column 1:
   • Senate Republican leader John McKinney, who has argued strongly against hedge-fund regulations in the past, dismissed the bill as “teethless” legislation. 2009 May 27, Christopher Keating, “Clamping Down On Hedge Funds”, in Hartford Courant, volume CLXXIII, number 147, Hartford, Conn., page A2, column 2:
   • [Valerie] Brown’s attempt to impose “regional government” on the North Bay deservedly failed, her bill requiring government agencies to develop strategic plans is “teethless,” and another failed measure to cut government expense was “political farce,” [Roger] Williams said. 1994 October 6, Kevin Courtney, “Redistricting makes 7th District race quiet for candidates”, in The Napa Valley Register, 132nd year, number 56, Napa, Calif., page 2A, columns 2–3:

Forms

Synonyms

toothless · toothless