atheling

American  

[ath-uh-ling, ath-] / ˈæθ ə lɪŋ, ˈæð- /

Or aetheling

noun

Early English History.

1. a man of royal blood; a prince.

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atheling British  

/ ˈæθɪlɪŋ /

noun

1. (in Anglo-Saxon England) a prince of any of the royal dynasties

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Etymology

Origin of atheling

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English ætheling (cognate with Old High German ediling, adalung, Old Saxon ethiling ), equivalent to æthel(u) “noble family” (cognate with Old High German adoul, German Adel, Old Saxon athal(i), Old Norse athal “nature”; akin to Tocharian atäl “man”) + -ing noun suffix; see -ing ³

Example Sentences

"That is a strange dress for an atheling," I said; but they hushed me.

From King Alfred's Viking A Story of the First English Fleet by Whistler, Charles W. (Charles Watts)

He wore a slightly disappointed look on his face, for he had heard so much of the atheling that he had supposed him older than this boy.

From A Maid at King Alfred?s Court by Madison, Lucy Foster

Now shalt thou of deeds famed, The atheling of single heart, with all thy main deal For the warding thy life, and to stay thee I will.

From The Tale of Beowulf Sometime King of the Folk of the Weder Geats by Anonymous

Thou art fit mate for any, be he atheling or what not.”

From A Maid at King Alfred?s Court by Madison, Lucy Foster

"Are we not equal then?" asked the atheling.

From King Olaf's Kinsman A Story of the Last Saxon Struggle against the Danes in the Days of Ironside and Cnut by Whistler, Charles W. (Charles Watts)