The word "starless" is spelled with six letters, but its pronunciation is slightly different from what we might expect. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is written as /ˈstɑːrləs/. The tricky part is the second syllable, which is spelled "-ar-" but pronounced with a long "ah" sound. This is because of a phenomenon called "r-coloring," in which the "r" sound affects the vowel that comes before it. So although "starless" may seem like a straightforward spelling, its pronunciation is a bit more nuanced.
Starless is an adjective that describes the absence or lack of stars in a particular situation or location. It refers to a state or condition where no stars are visible in the sky or a specific celestial setting. The term is often applied to describe a night sky that is devoid of any celestial bodies, leaving it completely dark and void of any stellar light.
The word can also be used more figuratively to depict a metaphorical absence or void in a non-astronomical context. In this sense, starless could connote a situation, environment, or experience that lacks brilliance, sparkle, or vitality. It implies a sense of emptiness or desolation, similar to looking up at a pitch-black sky without the beauty or radiance of stars.
The concept of starlessness is commonly associated with feelings of bleakness, loneliness, or melancholy. It evokes a sense of solitude, as if one is surrounded by darkness and the absence of any guiding lights. This term serves as a descriptive reference to signify the complete absence or the lack of presence of stars in either a physical or a metaphorical sense.
Without stars.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "starless" is formed by combining the base word "star" and the suffix "-less".
1. Star: The word "star" originates from the Old English word "steorra" which is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "*sternō" meaning "star". It can be traced further back to the Proto-Indo-European root "*h₂stḗr" which also means "star". The word has remained largely consistent across various Germanic languages.
2. -less: The suffix "-less" comes from Old English "-lēas" which means "without" or "lacking". It has its roots in the Proto-Germanic "*lausaz" with the same meaning.
Therefore, combining the base word "star" with the suffix "-less" creates the word "starless", which means "without stars" or "lacking stars".