-lə̇s adjective
Etymology: Middle English faderles, from Old English fæderlēas, from fæder father + -lēas -less — more at father , -less
1.
a. : having no father ; especially : having no father living
a quiet, thoughtful little lad with the man-of-the-house air of responsibility sometimes worn by fatherless only sons — Flora Thompson
b. : illegitimate
2. : having no known author
• fa·ther·less·ness noun -es