Dictionary

popeling en · NOUN

Etymology

From pope + -ling.

Meanings

1. A deputy or petty pope.
2. (derogatory, often) An adherent of the pope.
   • He takes his vantage on religion, / To plant the Pope and popelings in the realm 1593, Christopher Marlowe, The Massacre at Paris:
   • And idolatrous parents hovv carefull they are to nuzzle vp their Poſterity in Superſtition and Idolatry; I vvould our profeſt Popelings, and halfe-baked Proteſtants, did not let vs ſee but too often. 1621 June 29 (date delivered; Gregorian calendar), Robert Saunderson [i.e., Robert Sanderson], “The Third Sermon. At Grantham Linc[olnshire] 19. Jun. 1621.”, in Twelve Sermons, […], [new] edition, London: […] Aug[ustine] Math[ews], for Robert Dawlman, and are to be sold by Robert Allet, […], published 1632, →OCLC, §. 20, page 340:

Forms