/ath"euh ling, adh"-/ , n. Early Eng. Hist.
a man of royal blood; a prince.
[ bef. 1000; ME; OE aetheling (c. OHG ediling, adalung, OS ethiling ), equiv. to aethel ( u ) noble family (c. OHG adoul, G Adel, OS athal ( i ), ON athal nature; akin to Tocharian atäl man) + -ing -ING 3 ]