schadlos
German edit
Etymology edit
From Middle High German schadelos; equivalent to Schaden (“damage”) + -los (“-less”). Cognate with English scatheless.
Pronunciation edit
Adjective edit
schadlos (strong nominative masculine singular schadloser, not comparable)
- unscathed, undamaged, unharmed
- Synonyms: unbeschadet, unbeschädigt, wohlbehalten
- unharmful, without doing harm
- Coordinate term: gefahrlos
- schadlose Abfallbeseitigung ― waste disposal that entails no harm
- Abfall schadlos beseitigen ― dispose of waste in such a way that it may cause no (further) harm [see usage note]
Usage notes edit
(unharmful): The listed sources unanimously classify schadlos as an adjective. This is in accordance with the strong implication of schadlos, even in cases like schadlos beseitigen that superficially resemble adverbial use, that the sense of ‘no harm’ applies not only to the action (e.g., the removal), but also and particularly to the result (e.g., the safe deposition).
Declension edit
Positive forms of schadlos (uncomparable)
Derived terms edit
Further reading edit
- “schadlos” in Duden online
- “schadlos” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache
- “schadlos” in Deutsches Wörterbuch von Jacob und Wilhelm Grimm, 16 vols., Leipzig 1854–1961.