-ling

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.

• -lyng (obsolete)
• -lin (dialectal)

-ling

2. small, immature, miniature
4. follower or resident

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.

(Diminutive):

(Quality):

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

• -lings
• -lin (dialectal)

-ling

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

• -en
• -le
• -ock

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

• lign-

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

-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

• -lings - adverbs
• -linge f

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

• IPA^(key): [lɪŋ]

• Audio:

  (file)

-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.

-ling

1. indefinite accusative singular of -lingur

• IPA^(key): /-linɡ/

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

• -linge, -lingge, -lyng, -lynge

-ling

2. suffix used in forming personal nouns
3. suffix forming diminutives

• English: -ling
• Scots: -ling, -lin

• “-ling, suf.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.

From Old English -ling (adverbial suffix).

-ling

2. An adverbial suffix denoting direction, state or position.

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

• “-ling(e, suf.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.

From German -ling.

-ling

1. denoting diminutive

• IPA^(key): /linɡ/, [liŋɡ]

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

-ling

2. adverbial suffix denoting direction, state or position

   hinderling ― backwards

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

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

• -linc

-ling m

2. suffix used in forming personal nouns

   dīerling ― favorite, darling

   rǣpling ― prisoner

3. suffix forming diminutives

   stærling ― starling

4. dynasty, lineage

   Icling ("dynasty of Icel" or "House of Icel"); Ætheling (House of Ethel)

Strong a-stem:

• Middle English: -ling
  • English: -ling