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bodiless

bodiless

1 8.2
Only one part of a person or statue is left, for example a head without the rest
  • adjective
  • /ˈbɒdɪləs/
  • NSFW
translation icon : sin cuerpo
  • The artist created a sculpture of a bodiless head, which seemed to float in the air.
  • a bodiless head

Examples

  • Martin holds out his walking stick (with its cross-piece, like an unstrung crossbow or bodiless crucifix), points at an unseen horizon.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • I fondled your bodiless head... ...running my fingers through your hair, making you smile and frown.

  • Oh, an awesome figure towers over these shrunken lands; this bodiless procession takes its gray path over the earth.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • The gnarled stems of toes lay on the counter again, wilted and bodiless.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • In the horror film, the villain's bodiless spirit haunted the abandoned house.

  • The museum displayed ancient carvings of bodiless figures, emphasizing their unique artistry.

Synonyms

bodyless
vsbodiless
1 8.2

Not having any physical shape you can touch, like a voice or shadow

refers to cases where a part remains without its main body
trunkless
vsbodiless
1 6.8

Missing the main body or stem, for example a statue with only legs

is used when a part exists but the main trunk is missing
unbodied
vsbodiless
  • Archaic
9.9

Not having a physical form like a ghost or spirit

focuses on physical absence of the main body while a part remains

Antonyms

corporeal
  • Formal
15 8.4

Relating to the physical body rather than the spirit

5.5

Having a quality shown in a body or thing

Surface Forms

bodiless positive

Morphology

bodiless = body (transparent) = body + less

Literal absence of a body matches the components 'body' + '-less', so the meaning is directly derived.

Etymology

Bodiless comes from body and the ending -less, which means 'without'. Think of words like headless or homeless; bodiless is used for something missing its main body, for example a statue that has only a head or limbs.