Middle English Dictionary Entry
twinling(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | twinling(e n. Also twind(e)ling, twindilling, (error) twynkelyng; pl. twinlinges, etc. & twinlingus, twinlenges, tuin(de)linges. |
| Etymology | From twin n.; also cp. ON (cp. OSwed. tvinlinger & Dan. tvinling, Norw. dial. tvinnling). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) One of two children born at a single birth, a twin; a pair of children or animal progeny born at a single birth, twins; ~ of men (wommen), a male (female) twin; ~ of notes or of fruit, ?a double nut or fruit; (b) as surname.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Gen.25.24 : Now tyme of beryng was ycommen & low, twynlingis [WB(2): twei children] in þe wombe of hyre wern yfounden..Esau..&..iacob.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)SSol.4.5 : Þi two tetis as two ȝunge capretis, twynlingis [alt. from: jemeus; vr. twynlingus; WB(2): twynnes] of þe capret þat ben fed in lilies.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)3445 : Ysaac..Sua lang..praid þat..His wijf þat lang had child for-gane, Now sco bredes tua for ane, Tuinlinges [Frf: twynlynges] þat..in hir womb oft faght samen.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)30a/b : Gemellus: a twynlynge of notes or of fruyt [Hrl 2270: twynnlyng; Hrl 1738: twyndlyng; Hrl 2257: tuyndelynges; Cnt: twynkelyng].
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)505 : Twynne or twynlynge [KC: Twynnys or twyndelynys]: Gemellus, gemella, geminus.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)132b : A Twyndyllyng: gemellus.
- c1450(a1400) Chev.Assigne (Clg A.2)27 : The Kynge..seyȝ a pore womman..With two chylderen her byfore were borne at a byrthe..'Se..how þat she is pyned With twynlenges two.'
- a1500 Mayer Nominale (Mayer)690/37-8 : Gemellus: a twynlynge of men; gemella: a twynlynge of women.
b
- (1276) Hundred R.Tower 227 : Simon Twinling.