I. noun suffix
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old English -ing
1. one connected with or having the quality of <hireling> 2. young, small, or inferior one <duckling> II. adverb suffix or -lings Etymology: Middle English -ling (from Old English), -linges (from -ling + -es -s); akin to Old High German -lingūn -ling, Old English lang long in (such) a direction or manner <sideling> <flatling>
New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.