bloodless

[ bluhd-lis ]

adjective

1. without blood:

   bloodless surgery.

2. very pale:

   a bloodless face.

3. free from bloodshed; accomplished without bloodshed:

   a bloodless victory; a bloodless coup.

4. spiritless; without vigor, zest, or energy:

   a dull, insipid, bloodless young man.

5. without emotion or feeling; cold-hearted:

   bloodless data.

bloodless

/ ˈblʌdlɪs /

adjective

1. without blood
2. conducted without violence (esp in the phrase bloodless revolution )
3. anaemic-looking; pale
4. lacking vitality; lifeless
5. lacking in emotion; cold; unfeeling

Derived Forms

• ˈbloodlessness, noun
• ˈbloodlessly, adverb

Other Words From

• bloodless·ly adverb
• bloodless·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bloodless¹

1175–1225; Middle English blodles, Old English blōdlēas. See blood, -less

Example Sentences

Between that and bloodless network procedurals, death transforms from a tragedy and a sin into a mystery or a puzzle.

From Salon

"Democracy" is a word that may sound soaring to political junkies, but feels bureaucratic and frankly bloodless to many others.

From Salon

Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts said the new American Revolution will be bloodless ‘if the left allows it to be.’

From Los Angeles Times

Since independence in 1956, their country has experienced more coups than any other in Africa, most short-lived and bloodless.

From New York Times

It’s an admirably ambitious undertaking, but a lack of narrative thrust or tonal variation make for a somewhat bloodless experience.

From New York Times

Related Words

• unemotional