-ling

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English

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Etymology 1

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From Middle English -ling, from Old English -ling, from Proto-West Germanic *-ling, from Proto-Germanic *-lingaz, a nominal suffix, probably composed of Proto-Germanic *-ilaz (agent/instrumental/diminutive suffix) + Proto-Germanic *-ingaz (patronymic suffix).

Akin to Dutch -ling, German -ling, Icelandic -lingur, Gothic -𐌻𐌹𐌲𐌲𐍃 (-liggs). More at -le, -ing.

Alternative forms

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Suffix

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-ling

  1. small, immature, miniature
  2. follower or resident
Usage notes
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Words ending in -ing derived from a root or stem terminating in -l or -le, such as dazzling, have usually only an accidental resemblance, although sometimes there is a connection, as in sidling, which derives from Middle English in this form, and which is also a present participle form of the modern English verb to sidle, which in itself is a back-formation from sidling.

Derived terms
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(Diminutive):

(Quality):

Translations
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Etymology 2

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From Middle English -ling, from Old English -ling, -linga, -lunga (adverbial suffix). Compare -long.

Alternative forms

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Suffix

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-ling

  1. (non-productive) An adverbial suffix denoting manner, direction or position.
Derived terms
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See also

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References

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  • Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary, Springfield, Massachusetts, G.&C. Merriam Co., 1967

Anagrams

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Dutch

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Etymology

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From a rebracketing of nouns with an -ing suffix. See above (English).

Suffix

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-ling m

  1. a suffix that describes a person (or other creature) in terms of a place of origin or a quality, as defined by the root to which it is added

Derived terms

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German

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Etymology

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From Middle High German -linc, from Old High German -ling, from Proto-West Germanic *-ling.

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): [lɪŋ]
  • Audio:(file)

Suffix

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-ling m (genitive -linges or -lings, plural -linge)

  1. Indicates possession of or connection with a quality or property, such as Schwächling (weakling) from schwach (weak) or Frühling (the season Spring [which comes early]) from früh (early).
  2. A modifier of nouns, meaning a follower or resident of what is denoted by the stem form, such as Häftling from Haft.
  3. Suffix forming the names of many mushrooms.

Derived terms

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Icelandic

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Suffix

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-ling

  1. indefinite accusative singular of -lingur

Middle English

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Pronunciation

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Etymology 1

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From Old English -ling (nominal suffix), from Proto-West Germanic *-ling, from Proto-Germanic *-ilingaz; equivalent to -el +‎ -ing.

Alternative forms

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Suffix

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-ling

  1. suffix used in forming personal nouns
  2. suffix forming diminutives
Derived terms
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Descendants
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  • English: -ling
  • Scots: -ling, -lin
References
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Etymology 2

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From Old English -ling (adverbial suffix).

Suffix

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-ling

  1. An adverbial suffix denoting direction, state or position.
Descendants
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References
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Norwegian Bokmål

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Etymology

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From German -ling.

Suffix

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-ling

  1. denoting diminutive

Old English

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Pronunciation

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Etymology 1

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From alteration of suffixal use of Old English lang (long).

Suffix

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-ling

  1. adverbial suffix denoting direction, state or position
    hinderlingbackwards
Descendants
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Etymology 2

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From Proto-West Germanic *-ling, from Proto-Germanic *-ilingaz.

Alternative forms

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Suffix

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-ling m

  1. suffix used in forming personal nouns
    dīerlingfavorite, darling
    rǣplingprisoner
  2. suffix forming diminutives
    stærlingstarling
  3. dynasty, lineage
    Icling ("dynasty of Icel" or "House of Icel"); Ætheling (House of Ethel)
Declension
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Derived terms
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Descendants
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