-ling

English

suffix
Definitions
  • small, immature, miniature
  • follower or resident

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English -ling inherited from Old English -ling (adverbial suffix) inherited from Proto-Germanic *-lingaz, *-ilaz (diminutive suffix), *-ingaz (coming from, belonging to, -ing).

Origin

Proto-Germanic

*-ingaz

Gloss

coming from, belonging to, -ing

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms