TONGUELESS Meaning and
Definition
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The term "tongueless" is an adjective that refers to the absence or lack of a tongue. It is derived from the noun "tongue," which is the muscular organ in the mouth responsible for tasting, swallowing, and speaking. When something or someone is described as tongueless, it means they do not possess this organ or are without the ability to use it.
In a literal sense, tongueless can be used to describe certain animals or organisms that do not have a tongue as a characteristic feature. For example, some species of fish, reptiles, or insects lack a tongue.
However, tongueless can also be used metaphorically to describe people who are unable to express themselves effectively through speech or language. This could be due to physical impairments that affect their ability to form words, or it might refer to individuals who struggle with communication skills either due to shyness, speech disorders, or other reasons.
The term "tongueless" can also be used in a figurative manner to describe situations, objects, or entities that lack the ability to communicate or convey information. For instance, a tongueless book could be one that fails to communicate its intended message effectively, or a tongueless device might be a piece of technology that does not possess voice or speech capabilities.
Overall, tongueless describes the absence or inability to use a tongue either literally, metaphorically in terms of communication struggles, or figuratively in relation to inanimate objects.
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Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for TONGUELESS
Etymology of TONGUELESS
The word "tongueless" is a compound word that consists of two parts: "tongue" and "-less".
1. "Tongue" comes from the Old English "tunge", which is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "*tungō". It has cognates in other Germanic languages such as German "Zunge" and Dutch "tong". Ultimately, its origin can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root "*dn̥ǵʰwéh₂s", meaning "tongue".
2. The suffix "-less" is a common suffix in English, indicating the absence or lack of something. It originates from the Old English "-leas", which itself comes from the Proto-Germanic "*-lōsaz". This suffix has cognates in various Germanic languages, such as German "-los" and Dutch "-loos".
Similar spelling words for TONGUELESS
- tangles,
- dongolas,
- tankless,
- dongles,
- inter-tangles,
- tincals,
- twinkles,
- dangles,
- tunicles,
- tinkles,
- twangles,
- dunglass,
- tingles,
- dingles,
- Tinglass,
- townsel,
- dingwalls,
- Taenioglossa,
- un-tangles,
- dunghills,
- tonguelike.
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