dearling
English
Noun
dearling (plural dearlings)
- Obsolete form of darling [16th–18th c.].
- 1596, Edmund Spenser, “Book VI, Canto VIII”, in The Faerie Queene. […], part II (books IV–VI), London: […] [Richard Field] for William Ponsonby, →OCLC, page 463:
- Thoſe daintie parts, the dearlings of delight, / Which mote not be prophan'd of common eyes, […]
- 1605, Francis Bacon, “The Second Booke”, in The Twoo Bookes of Francis Bacon. Of the Proficience and Aduancement of Learning, Diuine and Humane, London: […] [Thomas Purfoot and Thomas Creede] for Henrie Tomes, […], →OCLC, folio 11, recto:
- […] Auguſtius Cæſar in his very entrance into affaires, vvhen he vvas a dearling of the Senate, yet in his haranges to the people, vvould ſvveare Ita parentis honores conſequi liceat, (vvhich vvas no leſſe then the Tyranny,) […]
- 1675, [Richard Allestree], “Sect[ion] IV. Of the Surplusage of our Enjoinments above Our Sufferings.”, in The Art of Contentment. […], Oxford, Oxfordshire: At the [Sheldonian] Theater […], →OCLC, paragraph 9, page 73:
- And tis a common obſervation in Familites, that the moſt diſcountenanc'd child oft makes better proof, then the dearling.
- 1885, Richard F[rancis] Burton, transl. and editor, “Tale of the Portress. [Night 18.]”, in A Plain and Literal Translation of the Arabian Nights’ Entertainments, now Entituled The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night […], Shammar edition, volume I, [London]: […] Burton Club […], →OCLC, page 181:
- 'Twas not satiety bade me leave the dearling of my soul, ⁕ But that she sinned a mortal sin which clipt me in its clip: […]
- 1998 April, Sandra Hill, The Last Viking, New York, N.Y.: Love Spell Books, Dorchester Publishing, →ISBN, page 385:
- "Whate'er you say, dearling." Despite her insults, Geirolf could see the love glowing in her face and he was encouraged.
- 2006 April, Kate Forsyth, “Liberty of the Tower”, in The Shining City (Rhiannon’s Ride; 2), New York, N.Y.: Roc, →ISBN, page 81:
- "I dinna ken, dearling," he said huskily. "I wish … och, how I wish … I canna bear to think o' ye locked up in here."
Adjective
dearling (comparative more dearling, superlative most dearling)
- Obsolete form of darling [16th–18th c.].
- 1596, Edmund Spenser, “Book IV”, in The Faerie Queene. […], part II (books IV–VI), London: […] [Richard Field] for William Ponsonby, →OCLC, stanza 5, page 2:
- Do thou dred infant, Venus dearling doue, / From her high ſpirit chaſe imperious feare, / And vſe of avvfull Maieſtie remoue: […]