dark·ling

[dahrk-ling]
adverb
1.
in the dark.
adjective
2.
growing dark.
3.
being or occurring in the dark; dark; obscure.
4.
vaguely threatening or menacing.

Origin:
1400–50; late Middle English derkeling. See dark, -ling2

00:10
Darkling is always a great word to know.
So is bezoar. Does it mean:
a fool or simpleton; ninny.
a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.
Dictionary.com Unabridged

dar·kle

[dahr-kuhl]
verb (used without object), dar·kled, dar·kling.
1.
to appear dark; show indistinctly.
2.
to grow dark, gloomy, etc.

Origin:
1790–1800; back formation from darkling, adv. taken as present participle

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
darkle (ˈdɑːkəl) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
vb
1.  to grow dark; darken
2.  (intr) to appear dark or indistinct
 
[C19: back formation from darkling]

darkling (ˈdɑːklɪŋ) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
adv, —adj
1.  in the dark or night
 
adj
2.  darkening or almost dark; obscure
 
[C15: from dark + -ling²]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

darkling
"in the dark," mid-15c., from dark + now-obsolete adverbial ending -ling.
"But having nothing to do with the participial -ing it does not mean growing dark &c.; from the mistaken notion that it is a participle spring both the misuse of the word itself and the spurious verb darkle." {Fowler]
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Using transplants may also result in reduced need for certain pesticide applications for cutworms and darkling beetles.
In that darkling calm my senses seemed preternaturally sharpened.
The tenebrionid beetle known as the darkling beetle used to be of more importance to this industry.
Two insects in particular pose problems for poultry farmers-darkling beetles, also called lesser mealworms, and hide beetles.
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