-ling - Definitions from Dictionary.com

7 results for: -ling

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

-ling1

a suffix of nouns, often pejorative, denoting one concerned with (hireling; underling), or diminutive (princeling; duckling).

[Origin: ME, OE; c. G -ling, ON -lingr, Goth -lings; see -le, -ing¹

]

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

-ling2

an adverbial suffix expressing direction, position, state, etc.: darkling; sideling.

[Origin: ME, OE; adv. use of gradational var. lang long¹

]

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

-ling¹
suff.

One connected with: worldling.
One having a specified quality: underling.
One that is young, small, or inferior: duckling.

[Middle English, from Old English.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

-ling²
suff. In a specified direction, manner, or condition: darkling.

[Middle English, from Old English.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
-ling

dim. suffix, 1314, from O.E. -ling a nominal suffix (not originally dim.), from P.Gmc. *-linga-; attested in historical Gmc. languages as a simple suffix, but probably representing a fusion of the suffixes represented by Eng. -le (cf. icicle, thimble, handle), O.E. -ol, -ul, -el; and -ing, suffix indicating "person or thing of a specific kind or origin; in masc. nouns also "son of" (cf. farthing, atheling, O.E. horing "adulterer, fornicator"). Both these suffixes had occasional dim. force, but this was only slightly evident in O.E. -ling and its equivalents in Gmc. languages except O.N., where it commonly was used as a dim, suffix, esp. in words designating the young of animals (e.g. gæslingr "gosling"). Thus it is possible that the dim. use that developed in M.E. is from O.N.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

-ling

Cham"ber*lain\, n. [OF. chamberlain, chambrelencF. chambellon, OHG. chamerling, chamarlinc, G. k["a]mmerling, kammer chamber (fr. L. camera) + -ling. See Chamber, and -ling.] [Formerly written chamberlin.]

1. An officer or servant who has charge of a chamber or chambers.

2. An upper servant of an inn. [Obs.]

3. An officer having the direction and management of the private chambers of a nobleman or monarch; hence, in Europe, one of the high officers of a court.

4. A treasurer or receiver of public money; as, the chamberlain of London, of North Wales, etc.

The lord chamberlain of England, an officer of the crown, who waits upon the sovereign on the day of coronation, and provides requisites for the palace of Westminster, and for the House of Lords during the session of Parliament. Under him are the gentleman of the black rod and other officers. His office is distinct from that of the lord chamberlain of the Household, whose functions relate to the royal housekeeping.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

-ling

Dar"ling\, n. [OE. derling, deorling, AS. de['o]rling; de['o]re dear + -ling. See Dear, and -ling.] One dearly beloved; a favorite.

And can do naught but wail her darling's loss. --Shak.

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