groundling

[ ground-ling ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a plant or animal that lives on or close to the ground. ground.
any of various fishes that live at the bottom of the water.
a spectator, reader, or other person of unsophisticated or uncultivated tastes; an uncritical or uncultured person.
a member of a theater audience who sits in one of the cheaper seats.

groundling

/ ˈɡraʊndlɪŋ /

any animal or plant that lives close to the ground or at the bottom of a lake, river, etc
1. (in Elizabethan theatre) a spectator standing in the yard in front of the stage and paying least
2. a spectator in the cheapest section of any theatre
a person on the ground as distinguished from one in an aircraft

First recorded in 1595–1605; ground ¹ + -ling ¹

Nevertheless, the contempt inspired by the groundling served the Englishman in good stead at a critical moment.

Pumpkins are among the most imposing of all groundling growths.

Still, it is heart-rending to think I shall never rise above the sordid earth, always remain a mere groundling!

Instead of sporting aloft in airy skyward flights, I am now a miserable groundling.

To our sorry groundling minds the old pleasaunce may seem too rich and fantastic, too spectacular, too much idealised.

April 18, 2024petrichor

[pet-ri-kawr]

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