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shaveling

American  
[sheyv-ling] / ˈʃeɪv lɪŋ /

noun

  1. Older Use: Disparaging. a clergyman with a shaven or tonsured head.

  2. a young fellow; youngster.

shaveling British  
/ ˈʃeɪvlɪŋ /

noun

  1. derogatory a priest or clergyman with a shaven head

  2. a young fellow; youth

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of shaveling

First recorded in 1520–30; shave + -ling 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And thou, Sir Shaveling, didst thou not come here To-night to draw up deed of legal marriage?

From Tales of the Wonder Club, Volume III by M. Y. Halidom (pseud. Dryasdust)

But me no buts, Sir Shaveling," quoth the princess, "but do my bidding.

From Tales of the Wonder Club Volume I by Halidom, M. Y.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.