"-less" means "less than"? Or "lacking"?

[Mark A. Mandel]

Wilson writes:
   >>>>>
 So, "stainless" has no real-world referent with respect to steel? A
seller can advertise carbon steel as "stainless steel," as long as he
includes a disclaimer _inside_ the packaging that notes that his
"stainless" steel may actually stain, under normal use?

I don't know, Dave. It still seems kinda shady to me.
 <<<<<

I DO know, Wilson. It *is* shady.

-- Mark
[This text prepared with Dragon NaturallySpeaking.]