bantling

[ bant-ling ]

/ ˈbænt lɪŋ /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR bantling ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a very young child.

Words nearby bantling

banter, banthine, banti's syndrome, banting, bantingism, bantling, bantock, bantoid, bantu, bantu beer, bantustan

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. 2020

Examples from the Web for bantling

"There's not the slightest need of your walking alone," Mr. Bantling gaily interposed.
The Portrait of a Lady|Henry James
Miss Stackpole's other topic was very different; she gave Isabel the latest news about Mr. Bantling.
The Portrait of a Lady|Henry James
I keep telling Mr. Bantling that he ought to have been an American, and you should see how that pleases him.
The Portrait of a Lady|Henry James
A long time, however, must have elapsed before the bantling took heart of grace and found strength to run alone.
A Cursory History of Swearing|Julian Sharman

My bantling was given up by all the faculty, when you were happily shown into the boxes.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 1, August 7, 1841|Various

British Dictionary definitions for bantling

bantling

/ (ˈbæntlɪŋ) /

noun

archaic, derogatory a young child; brat

Word Origin for bantling

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

bantling

noun

Words related to bantling

Words nearby bantling

Origin of bantling

Examples from the Web for bantling

British Dictionary definitions for bantling

noun

Word Origin for bantling