atheling

or aeth·el·ing

[ ath-uh-ling, ath- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, Early English History.

a man of royal blood; a prince.

atheling

/ ˈæθɪlɪŋ /

noun

(in Anglo-Saxon England) a prince of any of the royal dynasties

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Word History and Origins

Origin of atheling¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English ætheling (cognate with Old High German ediling, adalung, Old Saxon ethiling ), equivalent to æthel(u) “noble family” (cognate with Old High German adoul, German Adel, Old Saxon athal(i), Old Norse athal “nature”; akin to Tocharian atäl “man”) + -ing noun suffix; -ing ³

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Word History and Origins

Origin of atheling¹

Old English ætheling, from æthelu noble family + -ing ³; related to Old High German adaling, Old Norse öthlingr

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Example Sentences

Atheling, a title of honour among the Anglo-Saxons, meaning one who is of noble blood.

From Project Gutenberg

His espousal of the cause of Edgar the Atheling led the Conqueror to regard him with suspicion.

From Project Gutenberg

He will of course make inquiries, and I wonder what Mrs. Atheling and Kate will say.

From Project Gutenberg

On that afternoon she called at the Athelings, and found Mrs. and Miss Atheling out.

From Project Gutenberg

Young Atheling is a fine talker when he has to face a mob of grumbling men on a Yorkshire moor or a city common.

From Project Gutenberg

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