Pronunciation: [wˈɪŋləs] (IPA) 
The word "wingless" is spelled /ˈwɪŋ.ləs/, with a 'w' sound, followed by the short 'i' sound, and 'ng' pronounced as one sound. The 'l' is silent, and the 'e' at the end of the word is pronounced as a schwa sound. The word means having no wings, or unable to fly. It is often used to describe insects or other animals that have lost their ability to fly, or species that never had wings in the first place.
Wingless is an adjective that describes the characteristic or state of lacking wings. It refers to living organisms or objects that do not possess wings, either naturally or due to the absence, deformation, or removal of these appendages. The term can be used to describe various organisms, including insects, birds, bats, and angels, among others.
In the context of insects, wingless typically pertains to species or individuals within a species that do not have functional wings, whether they never had them or have lost them during developmental stages or due to specific circumstances. This may affect their ability to fly or maneuver in the air, resulting in adaptations that support different modes of locomotion such as crawling or jumping.
In a broader sense, wingless can also be used metaphorically to describe objects or concepts that lack the ability to soar, transcend, or reach higher levels. It implies a state of being grounded, restricted, or limited in terms of potential, ambition, or possibilities. For instance, a wingless ambition suggests a lack of aspiration or motivation to achieve greatness or pursue dreams to their fullest extent.
Overall, the term wingless denotes the absence or non-existence of wings, either in a literal or figurative sense, and is used to describe various organisms or concepts that lack the ability to fly or reach higher levels of achievement.
Having no wings; not able to fly.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "wingless" is derived from the combination of the root word "wing" and the suffix "-less".
The older form of "wing" can be traced back to the Old Norse word "vængr" or the Old High German word "wanga", meaning "wing". These terms are ultimately derived from the Proto-Germanic word "wangjō".
The suffix "-less" comes from the Old English word "-lēas", which means "without" or "lacking". It is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "-lēasaz".
Combining the words "wing" and "-less", we get "wingless", which refers to the absence or lack of wings.
