-ling — small, young, minor (affix)
-ling
small, young, minor
Component
suffix
Old English · Diminutive, often of young creatures (duckling, sapling).
Used in (5)
sibling
B2
/ˈsɪb.lɪŋ/
A brother or sister.
duckling
B1
/ˈdʌklɪŋ/
a young duck
underling
C1
/ˈʌndɚlɪŋ/
a person of lower rank who works for or is controlled by someone more powerful, often used disparagingly
sapling
C2+
/ˈsæplɪŋ/
a young, slender tree
hatchling
C2+
/ˈhætʃlɪŋ/
a young animal newly emerged from an egg