Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.
darling en · ADJ
Pronunciation
- där'lĭng (General-American)
- /ˈdɑɹlɪŋ/ (General-American)
- /ˈdɑːlɪŋ/ (Received-Pronunciation)
- (General-American) audio
Etymology
The noun is derived from Middle English dereling, derelyng (“beloved person; beloved of God, devout Christian”), from Old English dīerling, dēorling (“favourite, darling; minion”), from Proto-West Germanic *diuriling, from Proto-Germanic *diurijalingaz, from *diurijaz (“beloved, dear; expensive”) (further etymology uncertain, possibly from Proto-Indo-European *dʰegʷʰ- (“hot, warm; to burn”), or *dweh₂- (“distant, long; to remove, separate”)) + *-ilingaz (suffix forming (diminutive) nouns with the sense of ‘belonging to; coming from’). By surface analysis, dear + -ling (suffix meaning ‘immature; small’).
The adjective is from an attributive use of the noun. The verb is also derived from the noun.
Meanings
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Very dear; beloved, cherished, favourite.
Now Ellen was a darling love / In all his joys and cares: / And Ellen's name and Mary's name / Fast-link'd they both together came, / Whene'er he said his prayers.
1793–1817 (date written), S[amuel] T[aylor] Coleridge, “The Three Graves. A Fragment of a Sexton’s Tale.”, in Sibylline Leaves: A Collection of Poems, London: Rest Fenner, […], published 1817, →OCLC, page 226:Do thou dred infant, Venus dearling doue, / From her high ſpirit chaſe imperious feare, / And vſe of avvfull Maieſtie remoue: […]
1596, Edmund Spenser, “Book IV”, in The Faerie Queene. […], part II (books IV–VI), London: […] [Richard Field] for William Ponsonby, →OCLC, stanza 5, page 2:VVherefore, for the future, I am reſolved, to Acknovvledge my darling faults, though alone, yet aloud; […]
1645, Thomas Fuller, “Mixt Contemplations”, in Good Thoughts in Bad Times, […], Exeter, Devon: […] Thomas Hunt, →OCLC, section XVII, page 230:[M]y dear sweet master, / My darling little Cyclops [Polyphemus], […]
a. 1823 (date written), Euripides, “The Cyclops; a Satyric Drama. Translated from the Greek of Euripides.”, in Percy Bysshe Shelley, transl., edited by Mary W[ollstonecraft] Shelley, Posthumous Poems of Percy Bysshe Shelley, London: […] [C. H. Reynell] for John and Henry L[eigh] Hunt, […], published 1824, →OCLC, page 341:She is my darling wife of twenty-two years.
Mr. Bingley and Jane remained at Netherfield only a twelvemonth. So near a vicinity to her mother and Meryton relations was not desirable even to his easy temper, or her affectionate heart. The darling wish of his sisters was then gratified; he bought an estate in a neighbouring county to Derbyshire, and Jane and Elizabeth, in addition to every other source of happiness, were within thirty miles of each other.
1813 January 27, [Jane Austen], chapter XXIII, in Pride and Prejudice: […], volume I, London: […] [George Sidney] for T[homas] Egerton, […], →OCLC, page 316:My unchanged love is with my darling child, and I forgive her!
1849 May – 1850 November, Charles Dickens, The Personal History of David Copperfield, London: Bradbury & Evans, […], published 1850, →OCLC, page 334:Rough vvindes do ſhake the darling buds of Maie, / And Sommers leaſe hath all too ſhort a date: […]
1609, William Shakespeare, “Sonnet 18”, in Shake-speares Sonnets. […], London: By G[eorge] Eld for T[homas] T[horpe] and are to be sold by William Aspley, →OCLC, signature B4, verso:[H]is darling Sons / Hurl'd headlong to partake vvith us, ſhall curſe / Their frail Originals, and faded bliſs, / Faded ſo ſoon.
1667, John Milton, “Book II”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC, signature [E4], recto, lines 373–376:A few enthusiasts on the other side were bent on pursuing, through endless civil troubles, their darling phantom of a republic.
1849, Thomas Babington Macaulay, chapter I, in The History of England from the Accession of James II, volume I, London: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans, →OCLC, page 101:He saw a cottage with a double coach-house, / A cottage of gentility; / And the Devil did grin, for his darling sin / Is pride that apes humility.
1799 September 6, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, “[Sibylline Leaves.] The Devil’s Thoughts”, in The Poetical and Dramatic Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge […], volume II, London: Macmillan and Co., published 1880, →OCLC, stanza VI, page 137:
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(qualifier:affected) Very cute or lovable; adorable, charming, sweet.
Well, isn’t that a darling little outfit she has on?
Isn't it the darlingest, sweetest, prettiest, little dear darling darling! Oh! did you ever!!
1854 March 4, Punch, or The London Charivari, volume XXVI, number 660, London: Bradbury and Evans, […], →OCLC, page 116:
Forms
Deriveds
darlingness · darlingly
Translations (69)
pt querido (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · hi आकर्षक (very cute or lovable — see also adorable, charming, sweet) · el λατρεμένος (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · hi मोहक (very cute or lovable — see also adorable, charming, sweet) · nah notlazohtla (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · es encantador (very cute or lovable — see also adorable, charming, sweet) · ca estimat (very cute or lovable — see also adorable, charming, sweet) · hi प्रियतम (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · sv söt (very cute or lovable — see also adorable, charming, sweet) · el πολυαγαπημένος (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · tr canım (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · he יַקִּיר (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · ta நேச (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · tr biricik (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · bg любим (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · is ástkær (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · is kær (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · it caro (very cute or lovable — see also adorable, charming, sweet) · vo löfik (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · ro drag (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · fa دلنواز (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · fa فریبا (very cute or lovable — see also adorable, charming, sweet) · nah tlazohtli teōtl (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · ga muirneach (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · ro iubit (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · sv charmig (very cute or lovable — see also adorable, charming, sweet) · es querido (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · fa نازنین (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · fi rakas (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · bn দিলরুবা (very cute or lovable — see also adorable, charming, sweet) · fr chéri (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · ru ми́лый (very cute or lovable — see also adorable, charming, sweet) · fi suloinen (very cute or lovable — see also adorable, charming, sweet) · bg мил (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · ro încântător (very cute or lovable — see also adorable, charming, sweet) · cmn 亲爱的 (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · fr chérie (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · el χαριτωμένος (very cute or lovable — see also adorable, charming, sweet) · ta அன்பு (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · tr hoş (very cute or lovable — see also adorable, charming, sweet) · pt encantador (very cute or lovable — see also adorable, charming, sweet) · fa دلربا (very cute or lovable — see also adorable, charming, sweet) · tr tatlı (very cute or lovable — see also adorable, charming, sweet) · la mellītus (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · ro scump (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · hi प्रियतमा (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · pl czarująca (very cute or lovable — see also adorable, charming, sweet) · pt amado (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · oc carit (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · sv bedårande (very cute or lovable — see also adorable, charming, sweet) · pl czarujący (very cute or lovable — see also adorable, charming, sweet) · it caro (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · tr sevgili (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · ru ми́лый (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · ru очарова́тельный (very cute or lovable — see also adorable, charming, sweet) · sk milovaný (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · ml പ്രിയപ്പെട്ട (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · fa دلفریب (very cute or lovable — see also adorable, charming, sweet) · ru дорого́й (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · be лю́бы (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · ro drăguț (very cute or lovable — see also adorable, charming, sweet) · nah necuhtliyollotl (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · sk zlatý (very cute or lovable — see also adorable, charming, sweet) · sv gullig (very cute or lovable — see also adorable, charming, sweet) · es amado (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · gd ionmhainn (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · bg скъп (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · ca estimat (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite) · ru люби́мый (very dear — see also beloved, cherished, favourite)
wikipedia: en:darling
darling en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- där'lĭng (General-American)
- /ˈdɑɹlɪŋ/ (General-American)
- /ˈdɑːlɪŋ/ (Received-Pronunciation)
- (General-American) audio
Etymology
The noun is derived from Middle English dereling, derelyng (“beloved person; beloved of God, devout Christian”), from Old English dīerling, dēorling (“favourite, darling; minion”), from Proto-West Germanic *diuriling, from Proto-Germanic *diurijalingaz, from *diurijaz (“beloved, dear; expensive”) (further etymology uncertain, possibly from Proto-Indo-European *dʰegʷʰ- (“hot, warm; to burn”), or *dweh₂- (“distant, long; to remove, separate”)) + *-ilingaz (suffix forming (diminutive) nouns with the sense of ‘belonging to; coming from’). By surface analysis, dear + -ling (suffix meaning ‘immature; small’).
The adjective is from an attributive use of the noun. The verb is also derived from the noun.
Meanings
-
Often used as an affectionate term of address: a person who is very dear to one.
My first, last love; the idol of my youth, / The darling of my manhood, and, alas! / Now the most blessed memory of mine age.
1842, Alfred Tennyson, “The Gardener’s Daughter; or, The Pictures”, in Poems. […], volume II, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC, page 32:'Twas not satiety bade me leave the dearling of my soul, ⁕ But that she sinned a mortal sin which clipt me in its clip: […]
1885, Richard F[rancis] Burton, transl. and editor, “Tale of the Portress. [Night 18.]”, in A Plain and Literal Translation of the Arabian Nights’ Entertainments, now Entituled The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night […], Shammar edition, volume I, [London]: […] Burton Club […], →OCLC, page 181:"I dinna ken, dearling," he said huskily. "I wish … och, how I wish … I canna bear to think o' ye locked up in here."
2006 April, Kate Forsyth, “Liberty of the Tower”, in The Shining City (Rhiannon’s Ride; 2), New York, N.Y.: Roc, →ISBN, page 81:How ſhall I, void of tears, her death relate, / VVhile on her darling’s bed her mother ſate!
1714, J[ohn] Gay, “Friday; or, The Dirge”, in The Shepherd’s Week. In Six Pastorals, London: […] R. Burleigh […], →OCLC, page 47, lines 109–110:Yeah, intelligent input darling / Why don't you just have another beer then?
2007 June 18, Kate Nash, Paul Epworth, Steve DaMar, “Foundations”, in Made of Bricks, performed by Kate Nash, London: Fiction Records, →OCLC:Oh, I could drink a case of you, darling / Still I'd be on my feet
c. 1970 (date written), Joni Mitchell, “A Case of You”, in Blue, performed by Joni Mitchell, Burbank, Calif.: Reprise Records, published 22 June 1971, →OCLC:"Whate'er you say, dearling." Despite her insults, Geirolf could see the love glowing in her face and he was encouraged.
1998 April, Sandra Hill, The Last Viking, New York, N.Y.: Love Spell Books, Dorchester Publishing, →ISBN, page 385:[I]t is better to be / An old mans derling than a yong mans werling.
1546, John Heywood, chapter VII, in Julian Sharman, editor, The Proverbs of John Heywood. […], London: George Bell and Sons, […], published 1874, →OCLC, part II, page 138:Sleep, sweet babe! my cares beguiling: / Mother sits beside thee smiling: / Sleep, my darling, tenderly!
1793–1817 (date written), S[amuel] T[aylor] Coleridge, “The Virgin’s Cradle-hymn. Copied from a Print of the Virgin, in a Catholic Village in Germany.”, in Sibylline Leaves: A Collection of Poems, London: Rest Fenner, […], published 1817, →OCLC, page 260:Oh! Darling, please believe me / I'll never do you no harm
1969 February 22 – August 20 (date recorded), Paul McCartney, “Oh! Darling”, in Abbey Road, performed by The Beatles, [London]: Apple Records, published 26 September 1969, →OCLC:Feare ye not (ô darling) on thy ſide deſtinie runneth.
1582, Virgil, “The Firste Booke of Virgil His Aeneis”, in Richard Stanyhurst, transl., The First Foure Bookes of Virgils Æneis, […], London: […] Henrie Bynneman […], published 1583, →OCLC; republished as The First Four Books of the Æneid of Virgil, […], Edinburgh: [Edinburgh Printing Company], 1836, →OCLC, page 11:It is not worth the keeping: let it go: / But shall it? answer, darling, answer, no. / And trust me not at all or all in all.
1859, Alfred Tennyson, “Vivien”, in Idylls of the King, London: Edward Moxon & Co., […], →OCLC, page 114:Pass the wine, would you, darling?
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A person who is kind, sweet, etc., and thus lovable; a pet, a sweetheart; also, an animal or thing which is cute and lovable.
When the Crocodile Queen came home, she found / That her eggs were broken and scattered around, / And that six young Princes, darlings all, / Were missing, for none of them answer'd her call.
1838, Robert Southey, “The King of the Crocodiles. Part II.”, in The Poetical Works of Robert Southey. […], volume VI, London: […] [Andrew Spottiswoode] for Longman, Orme, Brown, Green, & Longmans, […], published 1838, →OCLC, stanza 6, page 102:What did they want, then, or in what manner did he fail in his duty towards those innocent darlings [his children]?
1863, M[ary] E[lizabeth] Braddon, “The Story of the Past”, in Eleanor’s Victory. […], volume I, London: Tinsley Brothers, […], →OCLC, page 43:The girl next door picks up all my shopping for me. She is such a darling.
With every flock of sheep and girls are one or two enormous mastiffs, which could eat one, and do bark nastily. But when the children call them and introduce them to you formally, they stand to be patted, and eat out of your hand; they are great darlings, and necessary against bear and wolf.
1864 April (date written), Charles Kingsley, chapter XXIII, in F[rances] E[liza Grenfell] K[ingsley], editor, Charles Kingsley: His Letters and Memories of His Life. […], volume II, London: Henry S[amuel] King & Co., published 1877, →OCLC, page 200:
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A favourite.
Politics were never more corrupt and brutal; and Trade, that pride and darling of our ocean, that educator of nations, that benefactor in spite of itself, ends in shameful defaulting, bubble, and bankruptcy, all over the world.
1870, Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Works and Days”, in Society and Solitude. Twelve Chapters, Boston, Mass.: Fields, Osgood, & Co., →OCLC, page 148:And in ſo muche the more peril and haſard of the ſaid diſeaſes [“ambicion, auarice, riottous exceſſe, hatred, enuye, and ſuche others”] do the princes ſtand, as they are more then others made wantons ⁊ derelynges of fortune, and haue lybertie withoute checke or controllemente to fulfyll their owne ſenſuall luſtes and appetites.
1549 February 10 (Gregorian calendar; indicated as 1548), Erasmus, “The Paraphrase of Erasmus vpon the Ghospell of S. Luke. The Preface of Erasmus vnto His Paraphrase vpon the Ghospell of Luke. Unto the Moostle Puissaunt and Most Victorious Prince Henry the Eight, King of England, Fraunce, and Ireland, […].”, in Nicolas Udall [i.e., Nicholas Udall], transl., The First Tome or Volume of the Paraphrase of Erasmus vpon the Newe Testamente, London: […] Edwarde Whitchurche, →OCLC, folio vii, verso:[T]hat handkercher / Did an Egyptian to my mother giue, / […] ſhe told her vvhile ſhe kept it, / Tvvould make her amiable, and ſubdue my father / Intirely to her loue: […] [T]ake heed on't, / Make it [the handkerchief] a darling, like your pretious eye, / To looſe, or giue avvay, vvere ſuch perdition, / As nothing elſe could match.
c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, The Tragœdy of Othello, the Moore of Venice. […] (First Quarto), London: […] N[icholas] O[kes] for Thomas Walkley, […], published 1622, →OCLC, [Act III, scene iv], pages 56–57:
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A favourite. ▸ The favourite child in a family.
And tis a common obſervation in Familites, that the moſt diſcountenanc'd child oft makes better proof, then the dearling.
1675, [Richard Allestree], “Sect[ion] IV. Of the Surplusage of our Enjoinments above Our Sufferings.”, in The Art of Contentment. […], Oxford, Oxfordshire: At the [Sheldonian] Theater […], →OCLC, paragraph 9, page 73:[…] John vvas the Darling, he had all the good Bits, vvas cramm'd vvith good Pullet, Chicken, Pig, Gooſe and Capon, vvhile Miſs had only a little Oatmeal and VVater, or a dry Cruſt vvithout Butter.
1712, Humphry Polesworth [pseudonym; John Arbuthnot], “The Character of John Bull’s Sister Peg, with the Quarrels that Happen’d between Master and Miss, in Their Childhood”, in John Bull Still in His Senses: Being the Third Part of Law is a Bottomless-Pit. […], London: […] John Morphew, […], →OCLC, page 23:Exhausted fathers thinned the blood, / You curse the legacy of pain; / Darling of an infected brood, / You feel disaster climb the vein.
1932–1941, Theodore Roethke, “Feud”, in Open House, New York, N.Y.: Alfred A[braham] Knopf, published 1941, →OCLC, part I, page 4:Mary, the youngest daughter, was always her mother’s darling.
But Richmond, his grandfather's darling, after one thoughtful glance cast under his lashes at that uncompromising countenance, appeared to lose himself in his own reflections.
1959, Georgette Heyer, chapter 1, in The Unknown Ajax, London; Melbourne, Vic.: William Heinemann, →OCLC, page 3:
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(broadly) A favourite. ▸ A person (often a woman) or thing that is very popular with a certain group of people.
a darling of the theatre
One of the darlings of the early vegetarian movement (particularly in its even sadder form, the cutlet), it was on the menu at John Harvey Kellogg's Battle Creek Sanitarium^([sic]), and has since become the default Sunday option for vegetarians – and a default source of derision for everyone else.
2011 December 15, Felicity Cloake, “How to cook the perfect nut roast”, in Guardian:The Generall of the Romanes in this action vvas Titus, ſonne to Veſpaſian the Emperour. A prince ſo good, that he vvas ſtyled the Darling of mankind for his ſvveet and loving nature; […]
1639, Thomas Fuller, “The Destruction of the Citie and Temple of Jerusalem by the Romanes under the Conduct of Titus”, in The Historie of the Holy Warre, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: […] Thomas Buck, one of the printers to the Universitie of Cambridge [and sold by John Williams, London], →OCLC, book I, page 1:[…] Auguſtius Cæſar in his very entrance into affaires, vvhen he vvas a dearling of the Senate, yet in his haranges to the people, vvould ſvveare Ita parentis honores conſequi liceat, (vvhich vvas no leſſe then the Tyranny,) […]
1605, Francis Bacon, “The Second Booke”, in The Twoo Bookes of Francis Bacon. Of the Proficience and Aduancement of Learning, Diuine and Humane, London: […] [Thomas Purfoot and Thomas Creede] for Henrie Tomes, […], →OCLC, folio 11, recto:a media darling
Then the great knight, the darling of the court, / Loved of the loveliest, into that rude hall / Stept with all grace, […]
1859, Alfred Tennyson, “Elaine”, in Idylls of the King, London: Edward Moxon & Co., […], →OCLC, page 161:
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(obsolete) A favourite. ▸ A royal favourite, the intimate companion of a monarch or other royal personage, often delegated significant political power.
She [Caroline of Ansbach] immediately became the darling of the Princeſs Sophia [Charlotte of Hanover], vvho vvas acknovvledged in all the Courts of Europe the moſt accompliſhed vvoman of the age in vvhich ſhe lived, and vvho vvas not a little pleaſed vvith the converſation of one in vvhom ſhe ſavv ſo lively an image of her ovvn youth.
1716 March 12 (Gregorian calendar), Joseph Addison, “The Free-holder: No. 21. Thursday, March 2. [1716.]”, in The Works of the Right Honourable Joseph Addison, Esq; […], volume IV, London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], published 1721, →OCLC, page 432:When kyng Henry perceiued, that the cõmons [commons] wer thus ſtomacked and bent, againſt the Quenes [Margaret of Anjou's] dearlynge William [de la Pole,] Duke of Suffolke, he plainly ſawe, that neither gloſyng woulde ſette, nor diſſimulacion coulde appeace, the continuall clamor of the importunate cõmons: Wherefore to begyn a ſhorte pacificacion in to long a broyle.
a. 1548 (date written), Edward Hall, Richard Grafton, “[The Troubleous Season of Kyng Henry the Sixt.] The .XXVIII. Yere.”, in The Vnion of the Two Noble and Illustre Famelies of Lancastre & Yorke, […], London: […] Rychard Grafton, […] [and Steven Mierdman], published 1550, →OCLC, folio lxxvi, recto:
Forms
Deriveds
darl · Darlene · silver darling · kill one's darlings · murder one's darlings · Darla · darlinghood · media darling · dilling · darlinglike · Darling
Descendants
Darling · 달링 · ダーリン
Synonyms
pug · squishy · woobie · lovebug · sweet pea · pally · sugar-plum · doll · baby · heartmate · love · pumpkin · chickabiddy · treasure · honeybunch · lambkin · snicklefritz · honeybunny · muss · pet · honeypie · cabbage · sweets · snookums · miting · honey · honeycakes · fam · sausage · sweetie · hinny · little one · moppet · buttercup · mouse · dumpling · chuck · cutie · poppet · m'dear · sweetcheeks · sweetie pie · dearie · dear · dove · cupcake · luvvy · lovie · dearest · honey bun · pussy · darling · heartface · ducky · loveling · liefling · duck · lambchop · lass (archaic except UK · hon · sug · sugar beet · babycakes · muffin · babe · chickadee · informal or poetic) · dear heart · old bean · doodlebug · honeybug · jewel · pussums · sugar baby · sugar · dag · bubba · sweetheart · bully · heart · darl · old sport · bae · jo · babber · sugarpie · dialectal (chiefly Geordie · kidder · mopsy · sweetling · schnookums · Wearside) · snuggums · precious · heartling · petal · dearling · shug
Translations (183)
da elskede (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · hi प्रिया (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ru дорога́я (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · fr chéri (person who is kind, sweet, etc., and thus lovable; animal or thing which is cute and lovable — see also sweetheart) · sv raring (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · cs poklad (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ru люби́мая (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ka ახლობელი (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · pt querida (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · pl kochana (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · hi प्रिय (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · vo löfäb (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · et kallikene (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · it amore (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · be лю́бая (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · et kallike (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · pl drogi (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · gl meu ben (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · mi ate (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ml പ്രിയതമൻ (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · it tesoro (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · de Liebling (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ar حَبِيب (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ml പ്രിയതമ (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · cs miláček (person who is kind, sweet, etc., and thus lovable; animal or thing which is cute and lovable — see also sweetheart) · pl kochanie (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ro drag (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ko 달링 (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · cmn 心肝 (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · he יַקִּיר (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ru дорого́й (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · is elskan (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · lb Liibling (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · gd eudail (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ga rúnsearc (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · hy թանկագին (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · hi प्रियतम (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · nl liefje (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · id sayang (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · gl rula (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · la animulus (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · sh ср̏це (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · zea lieve (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · la deliciae (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ga maoinín (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ga muirnín (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ca estimat (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ga grianán (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · fr chérie (person who is kind, sweet, etc., and thus lovable; animal or thing which is cute and lovable — see also sweetheart) · bcl padaba (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ro dragă (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · fi herttainen (person who is kind, sweet, etc., and thus lovable; animal or thing which is cute and lovable — see also sweetheart) · zza sinayer (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · el λατρεία (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ru ду́шенька (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ga leannán (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · bg любим (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · tr sevgili (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · hy սիրելի (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · hy բարեկամ (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ru возлю́бленная (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ga leoinín (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · cs zlato (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · hy քաղցր (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · gd luaidh (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · cs zlatíčko (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · vo hilöfäb (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ko 여보 (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ar حَبِيبَة (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · es cariño (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ga leanbán (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · lb Häerzi (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · es amada (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · pl kochany (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · mi paruhi (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · bn দিলরুবা (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · fa دلدار (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ru голу́бушка (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · nl schatje (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · vo jilöfäb (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · de Schatz (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · lb Fiffi (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ja 愛すべき (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · fi rakas (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ckb یار (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · cmn 心肝寶貝 /心肝宝贝 (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · eo karulino (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ga rúnach (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · mi taupuhi (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · fi kulta (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · nl geliefde (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ga gealghrá (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · gl tesouro (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ro iubit (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · hu szívem (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · la meum mel (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · sh zlȃto (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · tr sevdicek (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · nl lieve (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · et kullakene (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ko 자기 (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · yi ליובע (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · la mel (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · sq loc (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · pt querido (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · bcl padangat (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ru возлю́бленный (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ro iubită (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · fa دلبر (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ru ми́лая (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ru люби́мый (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · cs zlatíčko (person who is kind, sweet, etc., and thus lovable; animal or thing which is cute and lovable — see also sweetheart) · izh kultoin (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · be лю́бы (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · lb Schazi (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · es querida (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · no elskling (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · hu édesem (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · zu isingane (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ckb نازدار (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · cy cariad (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · fi kultanen (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · cs milý (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · mi kōmata (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ckb یارە (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ga ainsín (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ja ハニー (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ga dílseog (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · cs drahoušek (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · cmn 親愛的 /亲爱的 (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ru ми́лый (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · zza waşter (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · dz སྙིང་སྡུག (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · es amado (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · sh sȑce (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · nl lieverd (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · gl meu rei (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ja ダーリン (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · sv älskling (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · mi ipo (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · el αγάπη (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · zea lieven (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · cs miláček (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · wyi yadabiling (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · hu drágám (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · cs milý člověk (person who is kind, sweet, etc., and thus lovable; animal or thing which is cute and lovable — see also sweetheart) · ga cumann (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ga carán (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ja スイートハート (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · lo ສາຽສວາດ (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ga úillín (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · eo karegulino (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · cmn 寶貝 /宝贝 (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ga craobhóg (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ta ஆருயிர் (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · yi ליבלינג (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ga meanmarc (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ga craoibhín (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · zea liefje (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · fa یار (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · zza yar (diq) (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · gl amor (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · sh ду́ша (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · sk miláčik (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · fr chérie (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · hi प्रियतमा (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · de Schätzchen (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · th ที่รัก (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · es querido (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · sh duša (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ms sayang (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ko 자기야 (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · nl schat (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · pl droga (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · fa دلارام (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · hu kicsim (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · sq loke (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · et kullake (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · sh зла̑то (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · fr chéri (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · bg любима (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · eo karegulo (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one) · ca estimada (often used as an affectionate term of address: person who is very dear to one)
wikipedia: en:darling
darling en · VERB
Pronunciation
- där'lĭng (General-American)
- /ˈdɑɹlɪŋ/ (General-American)
- /ˈdɑːlɪŋ/ (Received-Pronunciation)
- (General-American) audio
Etymology
The noun is derived from Middle English dereling, derelyng (“beloved person; beloved of God, devout Christian”), from Old English dīerling, dēorling (“favourite, darling; minion”), from Proto-West Germanic *diuriling, from Proto-Germanic *diurijalingaz, from *diurijaz (“beloved, dear; expensive”) (further etymology uncertain, possibly from Proto-Indo-European *dʰegʷʰ- (“hot, warm; to burn”), or *dweh₂- (“distant, long; to remove, separate”)) + *-ilingaz (suffix forming (diminutive) nouns with the sense of ‘belonging to; coming from’). By surface analysis, dear + -ling (suffix meaning ‘immature; small’).
The adjective is from an attributive use of the noun. The verb is also derived from the noun.
Meanings
-
(informal, transitive) To call (someone) "darling" (noun sense 1).
Wonderful the way you stage people darling each other. To hear you sometimes, you'd think you were passionately in love.
1941 (date written), Terence Rattigan, Flare Path: A Play in Three Acts, London; New York, N.Y.: Samuel French, published 1943, →OCLC, Act II, scene i, page 40:All the Marys, Janes, Francoises and Mikis darlinged and honeyed me for a day or two then vanished for ever. After a few weeks I could not recall their names or faces.
1990, Khushwant Singh, “Bhagmati”, in Delhi, New Delhi: Penguin Books India, →ISBN, pages 108–109:The frisky female, we have noticed, has one most unpleasant trick; it is that of darlinging and duckeying and otherwise spooneying her husband … in public. He is invariably, invariably set down as an ass, without its being in the least his fault.
1870, Hugh Rowley, chapter XVIII, in Gamosagammon; or, Hints on Hymen. […], London: John Camden Hotten, […], →OCLC, page 139:He was darlinging his wife at every opportunity. They were going to have a silver wedding party. And, according to Geraldine, this was meant to be a dead marriage.
2000, Maeve Binchy, Scarlet Feather, London: Orion, →ISBN, page 174:Hullo! oh! Maud, darling, I wanted to know— / Great snakes, it's not she!—I want Miss Maud DeVaux.— / I think that I "darlinged" the old man that time. / If I did, I'll sell cheap,—this lot marked down,—one dime.
1882 September 22, “By Telephone”, in H. S. Underwood, editor, The Argo, volume II, number 6, Williamstown, Mass.: Williams College, →OCLC, page 75, column 2:
Forms
Relateds
Darlington
Translations (1)
fi kutsua kullaksi (to call (someone) “darling”)
wikipedia: en:darling