A derivational suffix forming nouns: (a) from other nouns, the referent of the derived noun being connected with, or similar to, that of the root noun: (from OE) erthling, fosterling, gadeling, hirling, starling, etc.; (ME formations) elderling, fingerling, herdling, lordling, maisterling, yerling, etc.; (b) from adjectives, the referent of the noun having the quality denoted by the adj.: (from OE) aðeling, dereling, evenling, yongling; (?ME formation) henlung; (c) from adverbs, the referent of the noun having the position or condition denoted by the adv.: (from OE) hinderling, underling, witherling; (ME formations) afterling, overling; (d) from verb forms, the referent of the noun performing or undergoing the action of the verb: (ME formations) findling, foundling, sukeling; (e) from nouns, to form diminutives: (from ON) gosling, ketling; (ME formations) berling, codling, dokeling, hoglin, wirling; (f) as place names [see Smith PNElem. 1.285].