What does the suffix 'less' imply when attached to a word?

The suffix 'less' when attached to a word conveys the meaning of 'without' or 'lacking.' This suffix is used to denote the absence of something indicated by the root word. For example, in the word 'hopeless,' it signifies the absence of hope. Similarly, 'careless' indicates a lack of care. The use of 'less' transforms the root word by negating its presence and emphasizing a deficiency. Other choices like 'including,' 'full of,' or 'quality of' do not align with the meaning conveyed by 'less.' Thus, the implication of 'without' is the defining characteristic of this suffix.