English

Alternative forms

• -lyng (obsolete)
• -lin (dialectal)

Suffix

-ling

1. A suffix forming diminutives with the meanings of:
   1. "A small, immature, or miniature version of what is denoted by the main stem".
   2. "A follower or resident of what is denoted by the original root or stem".

Derived terms

Translations

Usage notes

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.

Etymology 2

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

Alternative forms

• -lings
• -lin (dialectal)

Suffix

-ling

1. An adverbial suffix denoting manner, direction or position.

Derived terms

References

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

See also

• -en
• -le
• -ock

Dutch

Etymology

Result of wrong segmentation of nouns with an -ing suffix. See above (English).

Suffix

-ling m

1. A suffix that describes a male 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

• -lings - adverbs
• -linge f
• onderling - adjective
• plotseling - adjective

German

Etymology

See above (English).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [lɪŋ]

Suffix

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

1. A diminutive modifier of nouns having the physical sense of a younger, smaller or inferior version of what is denoted by the original noun.
2. Indicates possession of or connection with a quality or property, such as Schwächling from schwach (one who is weak) or Frühling from früh (the season [Spring] which comes early).
3. A diminutive modifier of nouns, meaning a follower or resident of what is denoted by the stem form.

Derived terms

Old English

Etymology 1

From alteration of suffixal use of Old English lang ‎(“long”)

Suffix

-ling

1. adverbial suffix denoting direction, state or position

   hinderling "backwards"

Etymology 2

From Proto-Germanic *-ilingaz

Alternative forms

• -linc

Suffix

-ling

1. suffix used in forming personal nouns

   dēorling "favorite, darling"

   rǣpling "prisoner, captive, criminal"

2. suffix forming diminutives

   stærlinc "starling"

Descendants

• English -ling, -long (as in headlong)