nearling

English

Etymology 1

From near +‎ -ling.

Alternative forms

• nearlings, nearlins, nerling, nerlin

Adverb

nearling (comparative more nearling, superlative most nearling)

1. (dialectal) Nearly; almost; all but.
   • 1865, George Smith, William Makepeace Thackeray, The Cornhill Magazine, volume 11; 15, page 357:

     To be among the mists, the tracks of rain,
     Nearling the hueless silence of the snow.

   • 2023, Lynn Leonard, PIX: The Flight of the Phoenixes:

     Kenda could no longer contain himself. He stepped forward, nearling.

Etymology 2

From near +‎ -ling.

Noun

nearling (plural nearlings)

1. (rare) One who is near.
   • 1909, The Collected Poems of William Carlos Williams: 1909-1939:

     Precious children, little gambollers! "farlings"
     They might have called you once, "nearlings" […]