groundling

== English == === Etymology === From ground +‎ -ling. Compare Old English grundling (“a groundling fish, grundel”). === Pronunciation === === Noun === groundling (plural groundlings) Any of various plants or animals living on or near the ground, as a benthic fish or bottom feeder, especially: The spined loach (Cobitis taenia), weather loach (Misgurnus fossilis), or other member of the loaches. The ringed plover, Charadrius hiaticula. A dragonfly of the genus Brachythemis. A moth of the genus Condica An audience member in the cheap section (usually standing; originally in Elizabethan theater). (by extension) A person of uncultivated or uncultured taste. One who is confined to the ground, especially: (military, slang) A soldier who fights on the ground or serves as ground crew, as opposed to a seaman, pilot, etc. (fantasy) A member of a race that lives primarily underground, such as a dwarf. (Abrahamic religions) Adam, before eating the apple of knowledge of good and evil (emphasizing his creation from the ground). ==== Derived terms ==== apple groundling (Gelechia rhombella) === See also === (cheap section): nosebleed seat, peanut gallery === References === Notes from an edition of Hamlet