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ruthless

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English word ruthless comes from a combination of English ruth (an archaic term for sorrow for the misery of another; pity) and -less (lacking/without something)

ruth (English)

(archaic) Sorrow for the misery of another; pity, compassion; mercy. [from 13th c.]. (now, _, rare) Repentance; regret; remorse. [from 13th c.]. (obsolete) Something which causes regret or sorrow; a pitiful sight. [13th-17th c.]. (obsolete) Sorrow; misery; distress. [...]

-less (English)

Lacking (something); without (something).

ruthless (English)

Without pity or compassion; cruel, pitiless.

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