Pronunciation: [kˈatləs] (IPA) 
The word "catless" is spelled with the letters C-A-T-L-E-S-S. Its IPA phonetic transcription is /ˈkætləs/. The stress is on the first syllable, indicated by the primary stress mark ( ˈ ). The first sound is the "k" sound /k/, followed by the "æ" vowel sound /æ/ as in "cat". The second syllable has a short "u" vowel sound /ləs/ as in "less". Therefore, "catless" means without a cat or lacking cats.
Catless is an adjective that describes something or someone that lacks or is devoid of cats. The term is derived from combining the word "cat" with the suffix "-less," which denotes a state of lacking or absence.
When applied to a person or household, catless refers to the absence of any cats as pets. It indicates that there are no feline companions or that the environment does not have any cats present. This can be due to personal preference, allergies, or other circumstances.
Catless can also be used to describe a specific area or location that is devoid of cats. This could refer to a park, street, or building where cats are not typically found. It implies that there are no stray or feral cats roaming around in that particular space.
The term catless can also be used in a figurative sense to describe situations or objects. For example, a catless garden refers to a place where cats do not typically venture, whether due to fences, deterrents, or other factors. Similarly, a catless party implies that no cats are present at the gathering.
Overall, catless signifies the absence or lack of cats, whether referring to individuals, environments, or situations.
The word catless is formed by combining the prefix cat- and the suffix -less.
The prefix cat- is derived from the Middle English word catte which originally referred to a domesticated carnivorous mammal, specifically the house cat we are familiar with today. This Middle English word seems to have been borrowed from the Old English word catt or catta that shared a similar meaning.
The suffix -less comes from the Old English word -leas, which means without or lacking. It has been used to form negative or opposite words by denoting a lack or absence of the thing it is attached to.
Therefore, when you combine the prefix cat- indicating cat and the suffix -less indicating without, you get catless, which means without a cat or lacking a cat.
