I. -liŋ, -lə̇n adverb
or flat·lings -ŋz, -nz ; or flat·lins -nz
Etymology: Middle English flatling, flatlinges, from flat (I) + -ling, -linges -ling, -lings
1. now dialect Britain : in a flat or horizontal position
had stumbled backwards and fallen flatlings into the ditch — J.H.McCarthy
2. now dialect Britain : with a flat side or edge
smote him flatling with his sheathed sword — William Morris
II. -liŋ adjective
1. obsolete , of a blow : dealt with the flat side of a weapon
2. : falling or pressing down on one
we lift the weight of flatling years — Rudyard Kipling