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; -ing ³

Example Sentences

He took her hand gently, and Egwina grew rosy in confusion, more overwhelmed by his simple words than those of the others, because of her surprise at finding him the atheling.

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

Be the while thou art living An atheling wealthy, and well do I will thee Of good of the treasures; be thou to my son In deed ever friendly, and uphold thy joyance!

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

"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)

That was much for the atheling to say, and heartily did I thank him.

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)

"Not I, Redwald, good friend; you and I will laugh over it at some time hereafter," the atheling said.

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)