Ling Definition
A diminutive modifier of nouns having either the physical sense of "a younger, smaller or inferior version of what is denoted by the original noun", or the derived sense indicating possession of or connection with a quality, which may having the sense of "a follower or resident of what is denoted by the stem form".
Origin of Ling
-
From Middle English -ling, from Old English -ling, from Proto-Germanic *-lingaz, a nominal suffix, probably composed of Proto-Germanic *-ilaz (agent/instrumental suffix) + Proto-Germanic *-ingaz (patronymic suffix). Akin to Old High German -ling, Old Norse -lingr, Gothic -๐ป๐น๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ (-liggs) (in ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ณ๐น๐ป๐น๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ (gadiliggs)). More at -le, -ing.
From Wiktionary
ME -linge < OE -ling, -lang < IE base *lenk-, to bend > Latvian lรนnkans, flexible
From Webster's New World College Dictionary, 5th Edition
-
Middle English possibly of Low German origin del-1 in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
-
ME < OE, combining the bases of -le + -ing
From Webster's New World College Dictionary, 5th Edition
Middle English from Old English
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Middle English from Old English
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Related Articles
Ling Is Also Mentioned In
Find Similar Words
Find similar words to ling using the buttons below.