Old English toðleas, in the literal sense; see tooth + -less. Figurative sense of "dull" is recorded from 1590s; that of "lacking enforcement powers" is first recorded 1961. Related: Toothlessly; toothlessness.
a toothless old crone
most birds are toothless
a toothless piece of legislation
toot
toot sweet
tooth
tooth-ache
toothbrush
toothless
toothpaste
toothpick
toothsome
tootle
toots
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