-ling Hear it!

-ling1 definition

-ling (liŋ)

  1. small or young (person or thing specified) duckling
  2. one related to a (specified) thing, esp. so as to seem unimportant or contemptible hireling, earthling

Etymology: ME < OE, combining the bases of -le + -ing

-ling2 definition

-ling (liŋ)

Now Chiefly Dial. in a (specified) manner, condition, or direction; to a (specified) extent darkling

Etymology: ME -linge < OE -ling, -lang < IE base *lenk-, to bend > Latvian lùnkans, flexible

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.