darkling

[dahrk-ling]

adverb

1. in the dark.

adjective

1. growing dark.

2. being or occurring in the dark; dark; obscure.

3. vaguely threatening or menacing.

darkling

/ ˈdɑːklɪŋ /

adverb

1. in the dark or night

adjective

1. darkening or almost dark; obscure

Word History and Origins

Origin of darkling¹

First recorded in 1400–50, darkling is from the late Middle English word derkeling. See dark, -ling ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of darkling¹

C15: from _dark + _-ling ²

Example Sentences

This meditative adagio is the work’s longest movement, and Olafsson stretched its darkling arabesques to more than 10 minutes.

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They included a number of vivid green and pinkish-orange darkling beetles from China and Laos, and four long-snouted weevils from South Africa.

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The plump, glossy larvae of the darkling beetle, nicknamed “superworms” perhaps because of their size, are usually content to munch on wheat bran.

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Across the United States this autumn, exhibitions and collection displays of historical treasures promise to elucidate our own darkling age.

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While the mealworm may look like an unappetizing maggot, it is in fact the larvae of the darkling beetle, rich in protein, fat and fibre.

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