shaveling

[ sheyv-ling ]

/ ˈʃeɪv lɪŋ /

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noun

Older Use: Disparaging. a clergyman with a shaven or tonsured head.

a young fellow; youngster.

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Origin of shaveling

First recorded in 1520–30; shave + -ling¹

Words nearby shaveling

shattered, shatterproof, Shaun, Shavano Peak, shave, shaveling, shaven, shaver, shavetail, Shavian, Shaviana

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use shaveling in a sentence

The warrior uttered a grunt of pain, cast a surprised angry stare at the shaveling of a Paddy, and thrust with his lance.
Overland|John William De Forest
This shaven crown will speedily thatch itself again, a beard grow upon these shaveling cheeks.
Joan of the Sword Hand|S(amuel) R(utherford) Crockett
The Baron was fairly satisfied, and muttered that if the bairn was fit only for a shaveling, it might be all right.
Grisly Grisell|Charlotte M. Yonge
Saxons can preach you a homily with any shaveling priest in the land, or simper as chastely as any wench.
The Last of the Vikings|John Bowling

Here, fellow, run this shaveling priest through with thy sword, quick!
The Last of the Vikings|John Bowling

British Dictionary definitions for shaveling

shaveling

/ (ˈʃeɪvlɪŋ) /

noun archaic

derogatory a priest or clergyman with a shaven head

a young fellow; youth

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