Beardless

/ˈbɪɹdləs/ adjective

Definition

Without a beard; smooth-faced; or figuratively, young, inexperienced, or lacking maturity (as beards traditionally signified age and wisdom).

Etymology

From Middle English 'berd' (beard) with the negation suffix '-less' (without). Shakespeare used this term to suggest youth and immaturity.

Kelly Says

In Shakespeare's time, 'beardless' was an insult implying you were too young to have wisdom—today nobody cares, showing how completely social meanings of facial hair have shifted!

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