1.
suffix.
1. denoting a person or thing: a connected with (hireling; sapling). b having the property of being (weakling; underling) or undergoing (starveling).
2 denoting a diminutive (duckling), often derogatory (lordling).
Etymology: OE (as -LE(1) + -ING(3)): sense 2 f. ON 2.
suffix forming adverbs and adjectives (darkling; grovelling) (cf. -LONG).
Etymology: OE f. Gmc