-ling

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Etymology 1

From Middle English -ling, from Old English -ling, from Proto-West Germanic *-ling, from Proto-Germanic *-lingaz, a nominal suffix, probably composed of Proto-Germanic *-ilaz (agent/instrumental/diminutive suffix) + Proto-Germanic *-ingaz (patronymic suffix).

Akin to Dutch -ling, German -ling, Icelandic -lingur, Gothic -𐌻𐌹𐌲𐌲𐍃. More at -le, -ing.

Suffix

1. small, immature, miniature
2. follower or resident

Translations

• French: -et, -ette, -in, -ine
• German: -chen, -lein, -erl (south German)
• Italian: -ino, -ina, -etto, -etta, -ello, -ella
• Portuguese: -inho
• Russian: -ёнок
• Spanish: -ito, -ita, -illo, -illa

Etymology 2

From Middle English -ling, from Old English -ling, -linga, -lunga.

Suffix

1. (non-productive) An adverbial suffix denoting manner, direction or position.

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