dearling

plural dearlings

1. obsoleteObsolete form of darling .First known use 16th–18th c.

   Thoſe daintie parts, the dearlings of delight, / Which mote not be prophan'd of common eyes, […]

   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

   5 more examples

   […] 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,) […]

   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

   And tis a common obſervation in Familites, that the moſt diſcountenanc'd child oft makes better proof, then the dearling.

   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

   'Twas not satiety bade me leave the dearling of my soul, ⁕ But that she sinned a mortal sin which clipt me in its clip: […]

   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

   "Whate'er you say, dearling." Despite her insults, Geirolf could see the love glowing in her face and he was encouraged.

   1998 April, Sandra Hill, The Last Viking, New York, N.Y.: Love Spell Books, Dorchester Publishing, →ISBN, page 385

   "I dinna ken, dearling," he said huskily. "I wish … och, how I wish … I canna bear to think o' ye locked up in here."

   2006 April, Kate Forsyth, “Liberty of the Tower”, in The Shining City (Rhiannon’s Ride; 2), New York, N.Y.: Roc, →ISBN, page 81

comparative more dearling · superlative most dearling

1. obsoleteObsolete form of darling .First known use 16th–18th c.

   Do thou dred infant, Venus dearling doue, / From her high ſpirit chaſe imperious feare, / And vſe of avvfull Maieſtie remoue: […]

   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