atheling
Americannoun
noun
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Much have I heard of the present atheling and his sister.
From A Maid at King Alfred?s Court by Madison, Lucy Foster
The ring-stemm�d vessel, Bark of the atheling, lay there at anchor, Icy in glimmer and eager for sailing; By his own request, his body is laid on a vessel and wafted seaward.
From Beowulf An Anglo-Saxon Epic Poem by Hall, Lesslie
The warmen’s defender bade them to make him, Earlmen’s atheling, an excellent war-shield He orders an iron shield to be made from him, wood is useless.
From Beowulf An Anglo-Saxon Epic Poem by Hall, Lesslie
There on the bench was, Over the atheling, easy to look on The battle-steep war-helm, the byrny be-ringed, The wood of the onset, all-glorious.
From The Tale of Beowulf Sometime King of the Folk of the Weder Geats by Anonymous
And heroes were dashing; such an earl should be ever, An erst-worthy atheling, as �schere proved him.
From Beowulf An Anglo-Saxon Epic Poem by Hall, Lesslie
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.
