darkling

American  

[dahrk-ling] / ˈdɑrk lɪŋ /

adverb

1. in the dark.

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adjective

1. growing dark.

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

3. vaguely threatening or menacing.

darkling British  

/ ˈdɑːklɪŋ /

adverb

1. in the dark or night

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adjective

1. darkening or almost dark; obscure

Etymology

Origin of darkling

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

Example Sentences

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

From BBC • Dec. 28, 2023

For them, our species stands before a darkling plain that is at once its birthright and its destiny: the universe itself.

From Slate • Jan. 26, 2023

Enter a species of darkling beetle larvae known as Zophobas morio.

From Salon • Jun. 11, 2022

The result isn’t just a literary quarterly; it’s a tour of the bright and darkling plain we call contemporary American literature.

From Washington Post • Oct. 2, 2019

Many woven cloths were hung upon the walls, and over their wide spaces marched figures of ancient legend, some dim with years, some darkling in the shade.

From "The Two Towers" by J. R. R. Tolkien