-ling
English edit
Etymology 1 edit
From Middle English -ling, from Old English -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 edit
Suffix edit
-ling
Usage notes edit
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 edit
(Diminutive):
(Quality):
Translations edit
|
Etymology 2 edit
From Middle English -ling, from Old English -ling, -linga, -lunga (adverbial suffix). Compare -long.
Alternative forms edit
Suffix edit
-ling
- An adverbial suffix denoting manner, direction or position.
Derived terms edit
See also edit
References edit
- Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary, Springfield, Massachusetts, G.&C. Merriam Co., 1967
Anagrams edit
Dutch edit
Etymology edit
From a rebracketing of nouns with an -ing suffix. See above (English).
Suffix edit
-ling m
- 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 edit
- -lings - adverbs
- -linge f
- onderling - adjective
- plotseling - adjective
- aardling m
- achtling m
- balling m
- banneling m
- beginneling m
- bekeerling m
- biechteling m
- boeteling m
- bokking m, from *bokkeling
- boreling m
- Bruggeling m
- dopeling m
- dorpeling m
- drenkeling m
- drieling m
- edeling m
- eenling m
- eersteling m
- eeuweling m
- ellendeling m
- engerling m
- excentriekeling m
- feesteling m
- hoveling m
- hoofdstedeling m
- huurling m
- inboorling m
- jaarling m
- jongeling m
- kamerling m
- kloosterling m
- krakeling m
- kwekeling m
- lamlendeling m
- lammeling m
- leerling m
- lieveling m
- loteling m
- machtswellusteling m
- medeleerling m
- naarling m
- negenling m
- nestling m
- noorderling m
- oosterling m
- opstandeling m
- smekeling m
- stedeling m
- sterveling m
- stommeling m
- tienling m
- tweeling m
- verstekeling m
- vierling m
- vijfling m
- vluchteling m
- volgeling m
- vondeling m
- vormeling m
- vreemdeling m
- westerling m
- wijdeling m
- wildeling m
- woesteling m
- zaailing m
- zendeling m
- zesling m
- zonderling m
- zuiderling m
- zuigeling m
- zwakkeling m
German edit
Etymology edit
From Middle High German -linc, from Old High German -ling, from Proto-West Germanic *-ling.
Pronunciation edit
Suffix edit
-ling m (genitive -linges or -lings, plural -linge)
- 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”).
- A modifier of nouns, meaning a follower or resident of what is denoted by the stem form, such as Häftling from Haft.
Derived terms edit
Icelandic edit
Suffix edit
-ling
Middle English edit
Pronunciation edit
Etymology 1 edit
From Old English -ling (nominal suffix), from Proto-West Germanic *-ling, from Proto-Germanic *-ilingaz; equivalent to -el + -ing.
Alternative forms edit
Suffix edit
-ling
- suffix used in forming personal nouns
- suffix forming diminutives
Derived terms edit
Descendants edit
References edit
- “-ling, suf.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.
Etymology 2 edit
From Old English -ling (adverbial suffix).
Suffix edit
-ling
- An adverbial suffix denoting direction, state or position.
Descendants edit
References edit
- “-ling(e, suf.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.
Norwegian Bokmål edit
Etymology edit
Suffix edit
-ling
- denoting diminutive
Old English edit
Pronunciation edit
Etymology 1 edit
From alteration of suffixal use of Old English lang (“long”).
Suffix edit
-ling
- adverbial suffix denoting direction, state or position
- hinderling ― backwards
Descendants edit
Etymology 2 edit
From Proto-Germanic *-ilingaz.
Alternative forms edit
Suffix edit
-ling
- suffix used in forming personal nouns
- suffix forming diminutives
- stærling ― starling
- dynasty, lineage
- Icling ("dynasty of Icel" or "House of Icel"); Ætheling (House of Ethel)