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bantling

[bant-ling]
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noun
  1. a very young child.
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Origin of bantling

First recorded in 1585–95, bantling is from the German word Bänkling illegitimate child. See bench, -ling1
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for bantling

Historical Examples

  • Your bantling is grown-up: you can keep her no longer beneath your wing.

    The Love Affairs of Pixie

    Mrs George de Horne Vaizey

  • Poor Mr. Bantling, however, was still in this inferior stage.

  • I'm afraid, however, that Bantling hasn't; he may have some surprises.

  • "I'll get you a hansom if you'll trust me," Mr. Bantling went on.

  • With Lady Pensil, the sister of Mr. Bantling, who has answered for an invitation.

British Dictionary definitions for bantling

bantling

noun
  1. archaic, derogatory a young child; brat
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Word Origin

C16: perhaps from German Bänkling illegitimate child, from Bank bench + -ling 1
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