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ling

noun (1)
\ ˈliŋ \

Definition of ling 

(Entry 1 of 4)

1 : any of various fishes (such as a hake or burbot) of the cod family

2 : lingcod

ling

noun (2)

Definition of ling (Entry 2 of 4)

: a heath plant especially : a common Old World heather (Calluna vulgaris)

-ling

noun suffix

Definition of -ling (Entry 3 of 4)

1 : one connected with or having the quality of hireling

2 : young, small, or inferior one duckling

-ling

adverb suffix
variants: or -lings

Definition of -ling (Entry 4 of 4)

: in (such) a direction or manner sideling flatling

First Known Use of ling

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for ling

Noun (1)

Middle English; akin to Dutch leng ling, Old English lang long

Noun (2)

Middle English, from Old Norse lyng

Noun suffix

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old English -ing

Adverb suffix

Middle English -ling (from Old English), -linges (from -ling + -es -s); akin to Old High German -lingūn -ling, Old English lang long

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Dictionary Entries near ling

Lineus

line voltage

linewalker

ling

-ling

Lingala

lingam

Statistics for ling

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Time Traveler for ling

The first known use of ling was in the 13th century

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More Definitions for ling

-ling

noun suffix

English Language Learners Definition of -ling

: one connected with or having the quality of

: young, small, or minor one

-ling

noun suffix
\ ling \

Kids Definition of -ling

1 : one associated with nestling

2 : young, small, or minor one duckling

More from Merriam-Webster on ling

See words that rhyme with ling

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ling

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