Where does “formless” come from?
Formless derives from Middle English -les (suffix meaning "without") added to Old English form, from Latin forma, from Ancient Greek μορφή, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European per-.
formless (English): Without form; shapeless; Without the use of forms...
Definitions
- Without form; shapeless; Without the use of forms...
Ancestry of “formless”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | form | To do with shape; To do with structure or... |
| 2 | Middle English | forme | first; shape, figure, manner, bench, frame, seat,... |
| 3 | Old English | forma | first |
| 4 | Old English | fore | before; forepart, front |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | furai | before, in front of; before, in front |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | preh₂- | before, in front |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | per- | before, in front; first; to go through |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | pr̥tós | passed , crossed |