-ling

-ling¹

a suffix of nouns, often pejorative, denoting one concerned with (hireling; underling), or diminutive (princeling; duckling).

[ME, OE; c. G -ling, ON -lingr, Goth -lings; see -LE, -ING¹]

-ling²

an adverbial suffix expressing direction, position, state, etc.: darkling; sideling.

[ME, OE; adv. use of gradational var. lang LONG¹]

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