darkling

== English == === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈdɑː(ɹ)klɪŋ/, (Etymology 3) /ˈdɑː(ɹ)k(ə)lɪŋ/ Rhymes: -ɑː(ɹ)klɪŋ === Etymology 1 === From Middle English derkelyng. By surface analysis, dark +‎ -ling. ==== Adverb ==== darkling (not comparable) In the dark; in obscurity. === Etymology 2 === Coined by Irish poet Mary Tighe in 1805, likely as an extension of the adverbial sense, and popularized by John Keats. ==== Adjective ==== darkling (not comparable) (poetic) Dark; growing dark; darkening. (figurative) Obscure; taking place unseen, as if in the dark. === Etymology 3 === From darkle +‎ -ing, darkle itself a backformation from Tighe's adjectival sense. ==== Noun ==== darkling (uncountable) (rare) Darkness. ==== Verb ==== darkling present participle and gerund of darkle === Etymology 4 === From dark + -ling. ==== Noun ==== darkling (plural darklings) (obsolete) A child of darkness; someone dark by nature or who has grown dark in character. [from 18th c.] (fantasy) A creature that lives in the dark. (poetic) A demon. === References === “darkling” in Webster’s Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary: Based on Webster’s Third New International Dictionary, 7th edition, Springfield, Mass.: G[eorge] & C[harles] Merriam, 1963 (1967 printing), →OCLC. === Anagrams === draglink