Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “odorless” come from?

Odorless derives from Old English -lēas (meaning lacking) combined with Latin odor (smell), which comes from Proto-Indo-European h₃ed- (to smell).

odorless (English): Having no odor

Definitions

  1. Having no odor

Ancestry of “odorless”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishodorAny smell, whether fragrant or offensive; A...
2Middle EnglishodourA smell or scent; a nasal sensation; A sensation...
3Anglo-Normanodour—
4Old Frenchodor—
5LatinodorA smell, perfume, stench; Inkling, suggestion
6Latinodōs—
7Proto-Italicodōs—
8Proto-Indo-Europeanh₃édos—
9Proto-Indo-Europeanh₃ed-to smell, stink; to hate; to bite

Words derived from “odorless”

  • odorlessness
  • odorlessly
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₃ed- →