1620s, "action of leaping or springing back" (a sense now obsolete); 1640s, "outcome, effect, consequence;" 1650s, "decision, outcome of an action or process;" from result (v.). Related: Results "favorable or desirable consequences" (by 1922). Mathematical sense of "quantity or value ascertained by a calculation" is by 1771.
-less
word-forming element meaning "lacking, cannot be, does not," from Old English -leas, from leas "free (from), devoid (of), false, feigned," from Proto-Germanic *lausaz (cognates: Dutch -loos, German -los "-less," Old Norse lauss "loose, free, vacant, dissolute," Middle Dutch los, German los "loose, free," Gothic laus "empty, vain"), from PIE root *leu- "to loosen, divide, cut apart." Related to loose and lease.