/ ˈdɑːlɪŋ; NAmE ˈdɑːrlɪŋ/ noun , adjective
■ noun
1.
( informal ) a way of addressing sb that you love :
What's the matter, darling?
2.
a person who is very friendly and kind :
You are a darling, Hugo.
3.
the ~ of sb/sth a person who is especially liked and very popular :
She is the darling of the newspapers and can do no wrong.
■ adjective
[ only before noun ] ( informal ) much loved; very attractive, special, etc. :
My darling daughter.
'Darling Henry,' the letter began.
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WORD ORIGIN
Old English dēorling (see dear , -ling ).