First published 1894; not yet revised More entries for "darling"

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darlingnoun1 & adjective

Meaning & use

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Earlier version

darling, n.¹ and a. in OED Second Edition (1989)

In other dictionaries

noun
1. 1. 1.a.
    Old English–
    
    A person who is very dear to another; the object of a person's love; one dearly loved. Commonly used as a term of endearing address.
    OE
    Se godcunda anweald gefriþode his diorlingas [variant reading deorlingas].
    Ælfred, translation of Boethius, De Consolatione Philosophiae xxxix. §10
    OE
    Bi Dauide ðæm Godes dirlinge.
    K. Ælfred, translation of Gregory, Pastoral Care vol. I. 393
    OE
    Iohannes se Godspellere, Cristes dyrling.
    Ælfric, Homilies vol. I. 58 (Bosw.)
    a1200
    Crist scal one beon inou alle his durlinges.
    Moral Ode 385
    a1375 (c1350)
    Sweting, wel-come! Mi derworþe derling.
    William of Palerne (1867) l. 1538
    ?a1400
    And now farewell my darling deere.
    Chester Plays iii. 372
    a1425 (c1395)
    My derlyng is to me a cluster of cipre tre.
    Bible (Wycliffite, later version) (Royal MS.) (1850) Song of Solomon i, 13
    1546
    It ys better to be An olde mans derlyng, then a yong mans werlyng.
    J. Heywood, Dialogue Prouerbes English Tongue ii. vii. sig. Iiii^v
    1582
    Flee, fle, my sweet darling.
    R. Stanyhurst, translation of Virgil, First Foure Bookes Æneis ii. 39
    1714
    While on her Dearling's Bed her Mother sate!
    J. Gay, Shepherd's Week v. 110
    1842
    The idol of my youth, The darling of my manhood.
    Lord Tennyson, Gardener's Daughter in Poems (new edition) vol. II. 32
    1859
    Answer, darling, answer, no.
    Lord Tennyson, Merlin & Vivien 395 in Idylls of King
    the mind emotion love loved one [nouns]
    darlingOld English–
    
    A person who is very dear to another; the object of a person's love; one dearly loved. Commonly used as a term of endearing address.
    liefOld English–1633
    
    absol. Quasi-n. A beloved, a dear one; a friend, sweetheart, mistress; occasionally a wife. Similarly in the comparative, one who is dearer. Obsolete.
    light of one's eye(s)Old English–
    
    light of one's eye(s): (applied to) a person that someone loves above all others.
    lovedOld English–
    
    A beloved person; (also) beloved people as a class. Usually with the or possessive.
    the apple of a person's eyeOld English–
    
    More fully apple of the eye. figurative and in extended use. Originally: the type of something precious. In later use chiefly the apple of a person'…
    my lifelate Old English–
    
    my life (in Old English mīn līf): (a form of affectionate address used to) a person who or thing which is regarded as the animating principle of…
    lovec1225–
    
    A person who is beloved of another, esp. a sweetheart (cf. true love, n. 4a); also (rare) in extended use of animals. Cf. lady-love, n. 1.
    druta1240–1400
    
    Darling, love, friend.
    chere1297–1540
    
    Dear. Of persons. Also as n.
    sweetc1330–
    
    A beloved person, darling, sweetheart. (Cf. sweet, adj. A.8c)
    popelotc1390–1775
    
    A pet, a sweetheart; a young girl, a poppet.
    likinga1393–1667
    
    A person who is loved or liked by another. Also with possessive adjective as a form of address to a loved one. Obsolete.
    oninga1400
    
    An only one; a darling.
    onlepya1400
    
    A single one, an only one; a beloved.
    belovedc1430–
    
    A person who is (dearly) loved, a loved one; (also) beloved people as a class. Frequently with possessive adjective.
    well-beloved1447–
    
    A dearly loved person. Chiefly with possessive adjective.
    heart-rootc1460–1765
    
    A sweetheart, a darling. Chiefly with possessive adjective. Also as a term of endearment. Obsolete.
    deara1500–
    
    = Dear one, darling.
    delicate1531
    
    A person who gives or inspires delight; a joy. Obsolete. rare.
    belove1534–68
    
    A person who is (dearly) loved, a loved one; = beloved, n.
    leefkyn1540
    
    = ‘Darling’.
    one and only1551–
    
    one and only: (occasionally with hyphen) consisting of one only, unique among its kind; inimitable, unrepeatable. In later use also as n.: a…
    fondling1580–
    
    A person who or thing which is fondly loved or caressed. Now rare.
    dearing1601
    
    Darling.
    precious1602–
    
    A dear one, darling. Frequently with possessive adjective and as a form of address.
    loveling1606–
    
    A dear or lovely creature; a darling (frequently as a term of endearment) (cf. lovely, n.); (also) a young lover.
    dotey1663–
    
    A dear or loved one; a darling, a pet, a favourite. Often as a term of endearment or form of address, esp. for a child.
    lovee1753–
    
    A person who is loved; a recipient of love.
    passion1783–1842
    
    concrete. An object of love or sexual desire. Obsolete. rare.
    mavourneen1800–
    
    Usually as vocative: ‘my darling’.
    dote1809–
    
    Irish English. A dear or loved one; a darling, a pet, a favourite. Often as a term of endearment or form of address, esp. for a child. Cf. dotey, n.
    treasure1844–
    
    transferred and figurative. Anything valued and preserved as precious; also of a person, a ‘jewel’, ‘gem’ (colloquial); also as an affectionate…
    seraph1853–
    
    figurative. A seraphic person, an ‘angel’.
    sloe1884–
    
    transferred. The apple of one's eye.
    darlint1888–
    
    = darling, n.¹ A.1.
    asthore1894–
    
    My treasure; (my) darling.
    darl1930–
    
    = darling, n.¹ A.1a.
    View in Historical Thesaurus
    the mind emotion love terms of endearment [nouns]
    darlingOld English–
    
    A person who is very dear to another; the object of a person's love; one dearly loved. Commonly used as a term of endearing address.
    belamy?c1225–1689
    
    Fair friend, good friend (esp. as a form of address).
    culver?c1225–
    
    figurative. An appellation of tender affection.
    dearc1230–
    
    The adjective is often used absol. = ‘dear one’, especially in ‘dear’ or ‘my dear’ addressed to a person; also in the superlative, ‘dearest’, ‘my…
    sweetheartc1290–
    
    (See heart, n. A.IV.21.) A term of endearment = darling: used chiefly in the vocative. Also used ironically or contemptuously.
    heartc1300–
    
    As a term of endearment: a loved one; (with possessive adjective) (one's) beloved, (one's) darling. Frequently as a form of address. Often with…
    sweetc1330–
    
    A beloved person, darling, sweetheart. (Cf. sweet, adj. A.8c)
    honeya1375–
    
    Now chiefly colloquial. As a term of endearment or affectionate form of address: sweetheart, darling. In later use chiefly North American, esp…
    dovec1386–
    
    figurative and transferred. An appellation of tender affection.
    jewelc1400–
    
    As a term of endearment for a beloved person. Chiefly with possessive adjective. Cf. precious, n., treasure, n. 2.
    birdc1405–
    
    As a term of endearment or affectionate form of address. Cf. chick, n.¹ A.I.2, hen, n.¹ II.3b.
    cinnamonc1405
    
    As a term of endearment. Obsolete. rare.
    honeycombc1405–
    
    As a term of endearment: sweetheart, darling. Cf. honey, n. A.II.5. Now archaic and rare.
    lovec1405–
    
    As a form of address to one's beloved and (in modern informal use) also familiarly to a close acquaintance or (more widely) anyone whom one…
    wantonc1450–
    
    A person, esp. a child, of playful or mischievous conduct. Frequently used as a term of endearment. Now rare.
    mulling?a1475–1529
    
    As a term of endearment: darling, sweetheart.
    daisyc1485–1605
    
    As a term of admiration. Obsolete.
    crowdy-mowdy?a1513–
    
    = crowdie, n. 1, ‘generally denoting milk and meal boiled together’ (Jamieson); also humorously as a term of endearment.
    honeysop?a1513–
    
    A piece of bread dipped in honey; formerly also figurative and (in plural) as a term of endearment.
    powsowdie?a1513–1605
    
    Scottish. A posset; (also) a poisonous draught. Also (in quot. 1513) as a term of endearment. Obsolete.
    suckler?a1513
    
    As a term of endearment. Obsolete.
    foolc1525–1737
    
    Used as a term of endearment or pity, typically with the implication of innocence or artlessness. Obsolete.
    buttinga1529
    
    Apparently: a term of endearment.
    whitinga1529
    
    As a term of endearment: darling. Cf. whiting's eye, n. Obsolete.
    beautiful1534–
    
    A beautiful person. Chiefly as a term of endearment, (now) esp. for a woman. In early use chiefly with possessive adjective.
    turtle-dove1535–
    
    figurative applied to a person: cf. turtle, n.¹ 2.
    soula1538–
    
    Applied to a person. With possessive adjective. (A form of affectionate address for) a person regarded as a vital or essential part of one's life…
    heartikin1540
    
    As a term of endearment (in addressing a person): little heart. Cf. heart, n. A.IV.21.
    bully?1548–1910
    
    As term of endearment and familiar form of address to a companion. Originally applied to either sex (cf. darling, n.¹ A.1a, sweetheart, n. 1a)…
    turtle1548
    
    figurative. Applied to a person, as a term of endearment, etc. (cf. dove, n. 2d), or (esp.) to lovers or married folk, in allusion to the…
    lamba1556–
    
    figurative. Applied to persons. Used as a term of endearment.
    nyletc1557
    
    As a term of endearment; sweetheart, darling.
    sweet-lovea1560
    
    A term of affection for a beloved person.
    coz1563–
    
    colloquial. A cousin. Chiefly as a familiar or affectionate form of address. Cf. cousin, n. A.2a.
    ding-ding1564–1620
    
    As a term of endearment or affection. Also in plural. Cf. ding-dong, n. B.1b.
    pugs1566–78
    
    = pug, n.² I.1a.
    golpol1568
    
    A term of endearment.
    sparling1570
    
    figurative. As a term of endearment. Obsolete. rare.
    lover1573–
    
    colloquial. As a form of address or endearment.
    pug1580–1680
    
    A term of endearment for a person (or, occasionally, an animal); also applied to a plaything, as a doll or pet. Obsolete.
    bulkin1582
    
    Used as a term of endearment.
    mopsy1582–
    
    A pretty child; a darling, a sweetheart (frequently as a term of endearment). Also (depreciative): a shallow or frivolous woman. Cf. moppet, n.² 1a.
    chuck1589–
    
    As a term of endearment or affectionate form of address. Also formerly: †a loved one, esp. a child or spouse (obsolete). Now chiefly English regional…
    bonny1594
    
    Of a person (or occasionally an animal): pleasing in appearance, good-looking; esp. (of a woman) pleasantly attractive (rather than stunningly…
    chick1594–
    
    As a term of endearment or affectionate form of address, esp. for a woman or child. Cf. chicken, n. II.4b.
    sweetikin1596–
    
    = sweetkin, n.
    ladybird1597–
    
    A female sweetheart (frequently as a term of endearment). Also derogatory: a kept mistress; a lewd or wanton woman; a prostitute. Now rare.
    angel1598–
    
    As a term of endearment or affectionate form of address for a beloved person.
    muss1598–1601
    
    A girl or young woman. Chiefly as a term of endearment or affectionate form of address.
    pinkany1599–
    
    Usually as a term of endearment: darling, sweetheart, pet. Also in quot. 1909: girl. Cf. pigsney, n. 1. rare after 17th cent.
    sweetkin1599
    
    A term of endearment: in quot. 1599 attributive = darling.
    duck1600–
    
    A term of endearment.
    joy1600–
    
    Used (esp. dialect) as a term of endearment for a sweetheart, child, etc.; a darling: cf. jo, n. 2.
    sparrowc1600–
    
    Used as a term of endearment.
    sucket1605–
    
    As a term of endearment.
    nutting1606
    
    Apparently used as a term of endearment (see quot. 1606).
    chuckaby1607
    
    A term of endearment.
    tickling1607
    
    Used as a term of endearment. Obsolete. rare.
    bagpudding1608
    
    figurative. ? Clown. Obsolete. (Cf. jack pudding, n.)
    heartling1608–
    
    A little or dear heart; a sweetheart. Frequently as a term of endearment. Cf. heartikin, n.
    chucking1609
    
    A term of endearment.
    dainty1611
    
    As a term of endearment. (Cf. sweet, n.)
    flittermouse1612–
    
    Used as a term of playful endearment.
    honeysuckle1613–
    
    As a term of endearment or affectionate form of address: sweetheart, darling, honey.
    fubs1614–1721
    
    A small chubby person. Chiefly used as a term of endearment. Obsolete.
    bawcocka1616–
    
    A colloquial or burlesque term of endearment: = Fine fellow, good fellow.
    pretty1616–
    
    A pretty person or animal. Frequently as a form of address, esp. in my pretty, my pretties.
    old thinga1625–
    
    colloquial. Originally: an old person (cf. thing, n.¹ II.10); frequently as a term of contempt or reproach. Later: used as a familiar or…
    bun1627–
    
    A name given sportively. Used as a term of endearment.
    duckling1630–1716
    
    A term of endearment. Obsolete.
    bulchin1633–1725
    
    Used as a term of endearment.
    bulch?c1640
    
    = bulchin, n. A term of endearment.
    sweetling1648–
    
    A term of endearment for a beloved person: = sweeting, n.¹ 1.
    friscoa1652
    
    Applied to a person as a term of endearment. (Cf. friskin, n. 2.)
    ding-dongs1662
    
    In plural. As a term of endearment or affection; = ding-ding, n. Obsolete. rare.
    buntinga1668–
    
    A term of endearment: in ‘baby bunting’, the meaning (if there be any at all) may possibly be as in Jamieson's ‘buntin, short and thick, as a buntin…
    cocky1680–
    
    Originally used as term of endearment for a person of either sex. In later use chiefly as a familiar form of address for a man. Cf. cock, n.¹…
    dearie1681–
    
    A little dear; a darling: a familiar term of amatory and conjugal endearment.
    chucky1683–
    
    As a term of endearment or affectionate form of address for a loved one, esp. a woman or child.
    lovey1684–
    
    Chiefly British. A beloved person, a darling. Usually as an affectionate form of address.
    machree1689–
    
    As a form of address: my dear. Now chiefly in Mother Machree, expressing (usually ironically) a stereotyped conception of Celtic or Irish identity.
    nykin1693–1717
    
    As a term of endearment: sweetheart, darling.
    pinkaninny1696–1721
    
    = pinkany, n. 2.
    nug1699
    
    As a term of endearment: love, dear. Cf. pug, n.²
    hinny1724–
    
    As a term of endearment or affectionate form of address: sweetheart, darling.
    puss1753
    
    A girl or woman, esp. one exhibiting characteristics associated with a cat, as spitefulness, slyness, attractiveness, playfulness, etc. Originally…
    pet1767–
    
    Originally Scottish. (Cf. carline's pet, n., the examples of which are sometimes interpreted as earlier… A sweet, obedient, or obliging person…
    dovey1769–
    
    A term of affection: Little or dear dove.
    sweetie1778–
    
    colloquial (originally U.S.). A sweetheart, a lover; a lovable person. Also as a term of endearing address.
    lovey-dovey1781–
    
    A beloved person, a sweetheart. Frequently as an affectionate form of address. See lovey, n. A.1.
    lovely1791–
    
    colloquial (originally and chiefly British). As a familiar or affectionate form of address: dear, sweetheart, love. Chiefly in my lovely. Cf. lovey…
    honey pie1796–
    
    (a) A pie or pastry containing or made with honey; (b) as a term of endearment or affectionate form of address: sweetheart, darling.
    ducky1819–
    
    A term of endearment. Also duckie. Cf. duck, n.¹ II.3.
    toy1822
    
    A person regarded as of little importance or worth. Cf. sense I.4a. Obsolete.
    acushla1825–
    
    As a form of address: (my) dear; darling. Cf. macushla, n.
    alanna1825–
    
    As a familiar form of address or term of endearment: my child.
    treat1825–
    
    Something highly enjoyable; a great pleasure, delight, or gratification. Also rarely applied to a person as an emotional expression of…
    amigo1830–
    
    As a form of address: friend, mate; (in plural) guys.
    honey child1832–
    
    Originally Irish English, now chiefly U.S. regional (southern and in African American usage). A sweetheart, a darling. Chiefly as a form of address…
    macushla1834–
    
    As a form of address: (my) dear; darling.
    cabbage1840–
    
    A sweetheart; a darling. Frequently as a term of endearment or affectionate form of address; esp. in my (little) cabbage.
    tootsicums1842–1917
    
    As a term of endearment or familiar form of address for a beloved person. Also: a loved one, esp. a young child.
    pussums1855–
    
    Used as a term of endearment for a cat or (occasionally) a person, esp. a woman.
    honey-bunch1874–
    
    A sweetheart, a darling (frequently as a term of endearment or affectionate form of address); cf. honey-bun, n.
    angel pie1878–
    
    Originally and chiefly U.S. A sweetheart, a darling. Frequently as a term of endearment or affectionate form of address. Cf. angel, n. II.6b.
    snookums1879–
    
    A trivial term of endearment, usually applied to children or lapdogs.
    honey bunny1887–
    
    (As a term of endearment or affectionate form of address) sweetheart, darling; cf. honey-bun, n.
    m'dear1887–
    
    = dear, adj.¹ A.I.2d.
    bach1889–
    
    A term of endearment common in Wales and the border counties, frequently following a personal name: dear, little one, friend.
    honey baby1895–
    
    (Chiefly as a term of endearment or affectionate form of address) sweetheart, darling; cf. honey, n. A.II.5a.
    prawn1895–
    
    figurative and in extended use. A person likened to a prawn in appearance or character, esp. in being foolish or foolish-looking.
    hon1896–
    
    = honey, n. A.II.5a, A.II.6a.
    so-and-so1897–
    
    Used euphemistically as a term of abuse for a person (occasionally a thing). Also, with weakened force, as a term of affection.
    cariad1899–
    
    A sweetheart, a lover. Also (as an affectionate form of address): darling, ‘love’.
    pumpkin1900–
    
    figurative. In colloquial use (chiefly North American). (Originally U.S.). As a term of endearment: sweetheart, darling. Also occasionally in plural.
    honey-bun1902–
    
    A sweetheart, a darling. Frequently as a term of endearment or affectionate form of address. Cf. honey, n. A.II.5, honey bunny, n..
    treasure1920–
    
    transferred and figurative. Anything valued and preserved as precious; also of a person, a ‘jewel’, ‘gem’ (colloquial); also as an affectionate…
    wogger1922–
    
    In James Joyce's Ulysses: a term of endearment used by the character Hester Stanhope as a pet name for her husband, explained by O.E.D. Suppl.…
    amico1929–
    
    As a form of address: friend, mate. Cf. amigo, n. 2.
    sugar1930–
    
    transferred and figurative uses, phrases, etc. colloquial. A term of endearment. Also in combination, as sugar-babe, sugar-baby, sugar-pie, etc.
    cupcake1935–
    
    Originally and chiefly U.S. Used as a term of endearment or affectionate form of address, esp. for a woman or child.
    baby cake1949–
    
    Chiefly in plural. Used as a term of endearment or affectionate form of address: sweetheart, honey, sugar pie.
    angel cake1951–
    
    As a term of endearment or affection. Cf. angel, n. II.8, angel face, n. 2.
    lamb-chop1962–
    
    petal1974–
    
    Originally and chiefly British. As an affectionate or familiar form of address: (my) dear, darling; sweetheart.
    bae2006–
    
    A boyfriend or girlfriend; a romantic or sexual partner. Originally and chiefly as a term of endearment or affectionate form of address…
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  2. 1.b.
    Old English–1716
    
    † A favourite, a minion. Obsolete.
    OE
    Ȝif ðe licode his dysig..swa wel swa his dysegum deorlingum dyde.
    Ælfred, translation of Boethius, De Consolatione Philosophiae xxvii. §2
    a1400–50
    An ald derling of Darius was duke made of pers.
    Alexander 3442
    1530
    Derlyng, a man, mignon.
    J. Palsgrave, Lesclarcissement 213/1
    1548
    The Quenes dearlynge William Duke of Suffolke.
    Hall's Vnion: Henry VI f. clviij
    1579
    The king..had like to haue marred al, by lauishing out a word hereof to one of hys deerelyngs.
    J. Stubbs, Discouerie of Gaping Gulf sig. Eviij
    1716
    She became the Darling of the Princess.
    J. Addison, Free-Holder No. 21
    the mind emotion love loved one [nouns] state or condition of being a favourite favourite or pet
    darlingOld English–1716
    
    A favourite, a minion. Obsolete.
    favoura1387–1667
    
    The object of favour; a favourite. Obsolete.
    dandilly?a1513–
    
    A pet, a darling.
    tidling1520–
    
    A pampered or spoilt child; a darling, pet; a young, delicate, or puny child or animal, needing special care; a weakling, ‘dilling’.
    marmoset1523–
    
    Extended uses. Applied to a man (derogatory or depreciative). Occasionally: a favourite, a minion. Now rare.
    white son1539–1791
    
    A beloved or favourite son; a boy or man who is specially favoured or indulged; cf. white, adj. A.II.9 and white hen n.
    minion1566–
    
    A person who is specially favoured or loved; a popular hero, a favourite of the public; †a comrade (obsolete). In later use chiefly figurative…
    favourite1582–
    
    A person or thing regarded with peculiar favour, one preferred above others. Const. of, with.
    white boyc1600–
    
    A man or boy who is highly regarded or favoured; a pet, a darling. Also as a term of endearment. Now rare.
    feddle1611–93
    
    A person who is pampered, or made much of; a pet, a favourite.
    feddling1611
    
    A cosseted pet or favourite.
    white-headed boy1616–
    
    A man or boy who is highly regarded or favoured; a pet, a darling; cf. white boy, n. 1 and white-haired boy, n.
    dautie1676–
    
    A person caressed or indulged; a darling, pet, favourite.
    inclination1691–1712
    
    Someone whom a person likes or prefers; a favourite. Also in plural in same sense. Obsolete.
    mother's pet1819–
    
    A spoilt or delicate child; (formerly also) Scottish †the youngest child of a family (obsolete).
    fair-haired boy1822–
    
    Darling; favourite. Frequently with possessive adjective. Chiefly in fair-haired boy; cf. blue-eyed boy, n., white boy, n.
    pet1825–
    
    Originally Scottish. (Cf. carline's pet, n., the examples of which are sometimes interpreted as earlier… A person who is indulged, spoiled, or…
    white-haired boy1829–
    
    A man or boy who is highly regarded or favoured; a pet, a darling; cf. white boy, n. 1 and white-headed boy, n.
    petsywetsy1847–
    
    = pet, n.² A.2.
    blue-eyed boy1919–
    
    A boy (or man) who is highly regarded by someone, or who is treated with special favour (esp. without adequate justification); a person's… Frequently somewhat depreciative.
    fave1938–
    
    = favourite, n. & adj., used esp. in show business. fave rave adjective and noun, of popular music(ians), films, etc.: (designating) a special…
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  3. 1.c.
    c1330–
    
    The favourite in a family, etc.
    c1330
    Knoute of his body gate sonnes þre..Knoute lufed [Harald] best, he was his derlyng.
    R. Mannyng, Chronicle (1810) 50
    1675
    The most discountenanc'd child oft makes better proof, then the dearling.
    R. Allestree, Art of Contentment iv. 73
    1712
    John was the Darling, he had all the good Bits.
    J. Arbuthnot, John Bull Still in Senses iii. ii. 9
    the mind emotion love loved one [nouns] state or condition of being a favourite favourite or pet in a family
    darlingc1330–
    
    The favourite in a family, etc.
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  4. 1.d.
    1838–
    
    One meet to be much loved, a lovable creature, a ‘pet’.
    1838
    She found..that six young Princes, darlings all, Were missing.
    R. Southey, King of Crocodiles ii, in Poetical Works vol. VI. 102
    1863
    His duty towards those innocent darlings.
    M. E. Braddon, Eleanor's Victory vol. I. iii. 43
    1864
    With every flock of sheep and girls are one or two enormous mastiffs..They are great darlings, and necessary against bear and wolf.
    Kingsley in Life (1879) vol. II. xxi. 173
    the mind emotion love quality of being lovable [nouns] lovable person or creature
    love1814–
    
    colloquial. A charming or delightful person or thing.
    darling1838–
    
    One meet to be much loved, a lovable creature, a ‘pet’.
    teddy bear1957–
    
    transferred. A person who resembles a teddy bear in appearance or in being lovable.
    ditz1984–
    
    A person who is ‘ditzy’, scatterbrained, or cute.
    View in Historical Thesaurus
2. 2.
  
  transferred and figurative.
  1. 2.a.
    c1275–
    
    Of persons, as the darling of the people, etc.
    c1275 (?a1200)
    Þa spac Angel þe king. Scottene deorling.
    Laȝamon, Brut (Caligula MS.) (1978) l. 12764
    c1275 (?a1200)
    Alfred þe king. Englelondes deorling.
    Laȝamon, Brut (Caligula MS.) (1963) l. 3148
    1548
    Wantons and derelynges of fortune.
    N. Udall et al., translation of Erasmus, Paraphrase Newe Testamente vol. I. Luke Preface 8
    1605
    Augustus Cæsar..when he was a dearling of the Senate.
    F. Bacon, Of Aduancement of Learning ii. sig. Ccc4^v
    1639
    A prince so good, that he was styled the Darling of mankind.
    T. Fuller, Historie of Holy Warre i. i. 1
    1702
    Fortune turns..every thing to the advantage of her Darlings.
    English Theophrastus 193
    1875
    Henry V was, as he deserved to be, the darling of the nation.
    W. Stubbs, Constitutional History vol. III. xxi. 508
  2. 2.b.
    c1430–
    
    Of things.
    c1430
    Loue is goddis owne derlinge.
    Hymns Virg. (1867) 25
    1577
    Where God is, there also is patience his darling [1587 derling] which he nourisheth.
    H. I., translation of H. Bullinger, 50 Godlie Sermons vol. II. iii. iii. sig. Dd.iiij/2
    a1616
    Take heede on't, Make it a darling, like your pretious eye.
    W. Shakespeare, Othello (1622) iii. iv. 66
    1750
    Then Oratory became their darling.
    G. Hughes, Natural History of Barbados Preface 1
    1870
    Trade, that pride and darling of our ocean.
    R. W. Emerson, Society & Solitude 148
    the mind emotion love loved one [nouns] loved thing
    darlingc1430–
    
    transferred and figurative. Of things.
    true love1893–
    
    Chiefly with possessive pronoun. figurative. Something that a person loves dearly and that provides an unfailing source of pleasure or satisfaction.
    View in Historical Thesaurus
3. 3.
  1584
  
  † A name for a variety of apple. Obsolete.
  1584
  The best Apples..are Pepins, Costardes..Darlings and such other.
  T. Cogan, Hauen of Health cii. 89
  plants
  the world food and drink food fruit and vegetables fruit or a fruit apple [nouns] eating-apple types of
  costardc1390–
  
  A large apple with prominent ribs or ridges, often described as having a pale green or red-flushed skin; a tree producing such an apple.
  bittersweeta1393–
  
  Any of several varieties of apple having a bittersweet flavour; (in later use spec.) any of several cultivars of apple which have high levels of…
  Queening?1435–
  
  Frequently with distinguishing word: any of several varieties of apple having prominent angular ribs on the surface of the fruit.
  richardine?1435–1600
  
  A variety of apple. Cf. Richard, n. 1.
  blaundrellc1440–1611
  
  A kind of white apple, formerly in much repute.
  pear apple1440–
  
  (a) A fruit having features of both an apple and a pear; esp. a rough-skinned variety of apple (now historical); (b) the fruit of a prickly pear (a…
  tuberc1440–
  
  A kind of apple, or the tree on which it grows.
  quarrendenc1450–
  
  More fully Devonshire quarrenden. A variety of dessert apple with early ripening, bright red fruit, especially common in Devon and Somerset; (also)…
  birtle1483–1500
  
  A sweet apple. Also in combination birtle-tree.
  deusan1570–1736
  
  A kind of apple said to keep two years; = apple-john, n.
  apple-john1572–
  
  A kind of apple said to keep for two years and having after this time a shrivelled, withered appearance. Cf. doucin, n. 1
  Richard1572–1707
  
  A variety of apple; probably a cider apple. In early use as a postmodifier. Cf. richardine, n. 2. Obsolete.
  lording1573–1828
  
  A variety of apple described as having a green skin and a sharp taste; the tree producing such apples. Occasionally also: a variety of pear. Obsolete.
  greening1577–
  
  Any of several varieties of apple which are green when ripe, used for cooking or eating. In later use frequently with distinguishing word.
  queen apple1579–
  
  A class of apples characterized by early ripening and red flesh; an apple of this class; cf. Queening, n.¹, rennet, n.², reinette, n.
  peeler1580–1763
  
  A plant that impoverishes the soil; = piller, n. 1b. Obsolete.
  darling1584
  
  A name for a variety of apple. Obsolete.
  doucin1584–1629
  
  A sweet dessert apple. Cf. apple-john, n. Obsolete. rare.
  golding1589–
  
  Frequently with distinguishing word. Any of several (probably yellow-skinned) varieties of apple; esp. (more fully golding pippin) the golden…
  puffin1589–
  
  A large insipid variety of apple; = puff, n. A.5b. Also puffin apple.
  lady's longing1591–1883
  
  A variety of apple.
  bitter-sweeting1597–
  
  An apple having a bittersweet flavour; cf. bittersweet, n. A.2.
  pearmain1597–
  
  Any of several varieties of apple having a somewhat conical shape and a skin often flushed or streaked on the side exposed to the sun; a tree…
  paradise apple1598–
  
  More fully paradise apple. A very old European variety of apple, having yellow fruit borne on a small tree; the fruit of this tree. Also (more fully…
  garden globe1600–79
  
  A French variety of apple having a green skin flushed with red.
  gastlet1600–
  
  A kind of apple.
  leather-coat1600–
  
  A name for russet apples, from the roughness of their skin.
  maligar1600–1707
  
  A variety of apple. Also maligar apple.
  pome-paradise1601–1745
  
  A sweet variety of apple; = paradise apple, n.
  French pippin1629–
  
  Any of several varieties of pippin (apples), typically having green skins.
  gillyflower1629–
  
  More fully gillyflower apple. Any of several varieties of apple, typically having a golden yellow skin flushed with red and an intense, aromatic…
  king apple1635–
  
  †(a) A kind of apple grown in Spain (obsolete rare); †(b) a cultivated variety of English apple with large, early-ripening fruits (obsolete); (c)…
  lady apple1651–
  
  A variety of small apple, having a shiny skin varying in colour from yellow to crimson, now chiefly used for decoration; also called pomme d'api…
  golden pippin1654–
  
  A variety of apple having a yellow skin and flavourful yellowish flesh, used as a dessert, cooking, and cider apple; a tree of this variety.
  goldling1655
  
  A variety of apple; (probably) = golding, n.¹ 2.
  puff1655
  
  A kind of apple: = puffin, n.² 2. Obsolete. rare.
  cardinal1658–1721
  
  A cultivated variety of apple, originating in France and suitable for storage after picking. Obsolete.
  green fillet1662–76
  
  A kind of apple used for making cider.
  chestnut1664
  
  Name of a variety of apple. Obsolete.
  cinnamon apple1664–
  
  An early variety of apple; (also) a fruit of Suriname.
  fenouil1664
  
  = fennel apple, n.
  go-no-further1664–
  
  A variety of apple having fairly large fruit with yellow and purplish-red skin.
  Westbury apple1664–1747
  
  A cultivated variety of apple originating in Hampshire, used chiefly for making cider.
  seek-no-farther1670–
  
  A kind of apple.
  nonsuch1676–
  
  Any of several varieties of apple suitable for both cooking and eating (also nonsuch apple); now chiefly in Peasgood's nonsuch. Also: the tree…
  calville1691–
  
  A kind of apple.
  passe-pomme1691
  
  A variety of dessert apple.
  fennel apple1699–1721
  
  The name of a variety of apple.
  queen1699–
  
  Technical uses. = queen apple, n. (rare).
  genet1706–
  
  Chiefly English regional. A kind of early-ripening apple. Cf. jenneting, n. a.
  fig-apple1707–
  
  A kind of apple (see quot.).
  oaken pin1707–
  
  Any of several tough varieties of apple; (originally) spec. †a late-ripening cooking apple noted for its keeping qualities (obsolete).
  nonpareil1726–
  
  Any of several formerly popular varieties of apple characterized by very late ripening and a sweet-sharp flavour (also nonpareil apple). Also: a…
  costing1731–36
  
  In full summer costing. A variety of apple (perhaps an early-ripening costard). Cf. costard, n.¹
  monstrous reinette1731–1824
  
  A very large variety of rennet, used as a cooking and dessert apple.
  Newtown pippin1760–
  
  A variety of dessert apple with a yellowish-green skin and aromatic flesh, highly regarded by connoisseurs.
  Ribston1782–
  
  More fully †Ribston Park pippin, Ribston pippin. A variety of dessert apple prized for its rich flavour, supposed to have originated from a pip…
  Rhode Island greening1795–
  
  A large North American green-skinned apple with crisp, acidic flesh, used chiefly for cooking; the tree producing this apple.
  oslin1801–
  
  An early-ripening variety of apple having a yellow skin and flesh, reputed to have been cultivated originally in Scotland. Also Oslin pippin.
  fall pippin1803–
  
  A variety of apple grown mainly in the United States, having large, yellow-skinned fruits, ripening in mid-autumn; an apple or tree of this variety.
  monstrous pippin1817–
  
  The American apple variety Gloria Mundi, which has very large yellow fruits used for cooking.
  Newtown Spitzenburg1817–
  
  A red-skinned variety of dessert apple with sweet, firm flesh.
  Gravenstein1821–
  
  A variety of dessert apple, which has large fruit with yellow, red-streaked skin.
  Red Astrachan1822–
  
  A red-skinned dessert apple of Russian origin, grown chiefly in the United States.
  Tolman sweet1822–
  
  A yellow-skinned apple belonging to a variety originally developed in Rhode Island; also, the variety itself, or the tree bearing this fruit.
  grange apple1823–
  
  A particular variety of apple.
  orange pippin1823–
  
  Baldwin1826–
  
  A common variety of eating apple; a tree bearing this variety of apple.
  Sturmer Pippin1831–
  
  To designate a late-ripening dessert apple belonging to a variety developed in Sturmer in the 1830s by S. and J. Dillistone (fl. 1827-50) and…
  Newtowner1846
  
  = Newtown pippin n. at Newtown, n.² I.1.
  Northern Spy1847–
  
  A North American red-flushed, late-ripening variety of apple, used both as a dessert apple and for cooking.
  Blenheim Orange1860–
  
  A golden-coloured apple; also elliptical.
  Cox1860–
  
  Used in the possessive of a variety of orange pippin, or an apple of this variety; also elliptical.
  McIntosh Red1876–
  
  More fully McIntosh Red. A variety of dessert apple having a purplish red flush on a yellow or greenish-yellow ground. Also: the tree producing this…
  Worcester1877–
  
  Used attributively (with Pearmain or apple) and absol. to designate an early, slightly conical red-skinned dessert apple belonging to a variety…
  raspberry apple1894
  
  A variety of apple having the flavour of raspberries.
  delicious1898–
  
  With capital initial. Any of various cultivated varieties of dessert apple originating in the United States, most of which belong to a group…
  Golden Delicious1917–
  
  A variety of dessert apple with a yellow-green skin and sweet flesh; a tree of this variety; frequently attributive.
  Laxton's Superb1920–
  
  Used in the possessive to designate several varieties of fruit bred and introduced by Laxton Brothers, esp. Laxton's Superb n. a popular…
  Macoun1924–
  
  A kind of dessert apple, originally grown in Canada.
  View in Historical Thesaurus
  the world plants particular plants cultivated or valued plants particular food plant or plant product particular types of fruit [nouns] apple eating-apple types of
  costardc1390–
  
  A large apple with prominent ribs or ridges, often described as having a pale green or red-flushed skin; a tree producing such an apple.
  bittersweeta1393–
  
  Any of several varieties of apple having a bittersweet flavour; (in later use spec.) any of several cultivars of apple which have high levels of…
  pippin?1435–
  
  Formerly: a kind of sweet apple, typically late-ripening, fine-flavoured, and having good keeping qualities. Now (frequently with distinguishing…
  pomewater?1435–
  
  A large, juicy, sharp-tasting variety of apple.
  Queening?1435–
  
  Frequently with distinguishing word: any of several varieties of apple having prominent angular ribs on the surface of the fruit.
  richardine?1435–1600
  
  A variety of apple. Cf. Richard, n. 1.
  blaundrellc1440–1611
  
  A kind of white apple, formerly in much repute.
  pear apple1440–
  
  (a) A fruit having features of both an apple and a pear; esp. a rough-skinned variety of apple (now historical); (b) the fruit of a prickly pear (a…
  tuberc1440–
  
  A kind of apple, or the tree on which it grows.
  quarrendenc1450–
  
  More fully Devonshire quarrenden. A variety of dessert apple with early ripening, bright red fruit, especially common in Devon and Somerset; (also)…
  birtle1483–1500
  
  A sweet apple. Also in combination birtle-tree.
  sweeting1530–
  
  Name for a sweet-flavoured variety of apple.
  pomeroyal1534–89
  
  A variety of apple; (perhaps) = pomeroy, n.
  renneta1568–
  
  Any of a large class of dessert apples of French origin, of which the most popular varieties are round or flattish in shape, small- or…
  deusan1570–1736
  
  A kind of apple said to keep two years; = apple-john, n.
  apple-john1572–
  
  A kind of apple said to keep for two years and having after this time a shrivelled, withered appearance. Cf. doucin, n. 1
  Richard1572–1707
  
  A variety of apple; probably a cider apple. In early use as a postmodifier. Cf. richardine, n. 2. Obsolete.
  lording1573–1828
  
  A variety of apple described as having a green skin and a sharp taste; the tree producing such apples. Occasionally also: a variety of pear. Obsolete.
  russeting1573–
  
  More fully russeting apple. A russet apple, or variety of such apple; = russet, n. A.3b. In early use also figurative.
  greening1577–
  
  Any of several varieties of apple which are green when ripe, used for cooking or eating. In later use frequently with distinguishing word.
  queen apple1579–
  
  A class of apples characterized by early ripening and red flesh; an apple of this class; cf. Queening, n.¹, rennet, n.², reinette, n.
  peeler1580–1763
  
  A plant that impoverishes the soil; = piller, n. 1b. Obsolete.
  reinette1582–
  
  Any of a group of varieties of dessert or cooking apple, chiefly of French origin, characterized by russeting, strong flavour, and good keeping…
  darling1584
  
  A name for a variety of apple. Obsolete.
  doucin1584–1629
  
  A sweet dessert apple. Cf. apple-john, n. Obsolete. rare.
  golding1589–
  
  Frequently with distinguishing word. Any of several (probably yellow-skinned) varieties of apple; esp. (more fully golding pippin) the golden…
  puffin1589–
  
  A large insipid variety of apple; = puff, n. A.5b. Also puffin apple.
  lady's longing1591–1883
  
  A variety of apple.
  bitter-sweeting1597–
  
  An apple having a bittersweet flavour; cf. bittersweet, n. A.2.
  pearmain1597–
  
  Any of several varieties of apple having a somewhat conical shape and a skin often flushed or streaked on the side exposed to the sun; a tree…
  paradise apple1598–
  
  More fully paradise apple. A very old European variety of apple, having yellow fruit borne on a small tree; the fruit of this tree. Also (more fully…
  garden globe1600–79
  
  A French variety of apple having a green skin flushed with red.
  gastlet1600–
  
  A kind of apple.
  leather-coat1600–
  
  A name for russet apples, from the roughness of their skin.
  maligar1600–1707
  
  A variety of apple. Also maligar apple.
  pomeroy1600–
  
  Any of several closely related varieties of dessert apple, formerly popular; (perhaps) = king apple, n.
  short-start1600–1707
  
  A variety of apple having a short stalk (so short-started adj.).
  jenneting1601–
  
  A kind of early apple.
  pome-paradise1601–1745
  
  A sweet variety of apple; = paradise apple, n.
  russet coat1602–
  
  A russet apple. Also: the skin of such an apple; the covering of russet (russet, n. A.3d) on the skin of an apple or pear. Also attributive. Now rare.
  John apple1604–
  
  A kind of apple said to keep for two years and having after this time a shrivelled, withered appearance; = apple-john, n.
  honey apple1611–
  
  A variety of sweet apple; (also) the quince, Cydonia oblonga. Now chiefly historical.
  honeymeal1611–
  
  A sweet variety of apple; = honey apple, n. 2.
  musk apple1611–
  
  In the names of varieties of fruits having a musky smell or taste, as musk apple, musk cherry, musk peach, musk pear, etc. Now rare.
  short-shank1611
  
  spice apple1611–
  
  A variety of the ordinary apple.
  French pippin1629–
  
  Any of several varieties of pippin (apples), typically having green skins.
  king apple1635–
  
  †(a) A kind of apple grown in Spain (obsolete rare); †(b) a cultivated variety of English apple with large, early-ripening fruits (obsolete); (c)…
  lady apple1651–
  
  A variety of small apple, having a shiny skin varying in colour from yellow to crimson, now chiefly used for decoration; also called pomme d'api…
  golden pippin1654–
  
  A variety of apple having a yellow skin and flavourful yellowish flesh, used as a dessert, cooking, and cider apple; a tree of this variety.
  goldling1655
  
  A variety of apple; (probably) = golding, n.¹ 2.
  puff1655
  
  A kind of apple: = puffin, n.² 2. Obsolete. rare.
  cardinal1658–1721
  
  A cultivated variety of apple, originating in France and suitable for storage after picking. Obsolete.
  renneting1658–1833
  
  = rennet, n.²
  green fillet1662–76
  
  A kind of apple used for making cider.
  chestnut1664
  
  Name of a variety of apple. Obsolete.
  cinnamon apple1664–
  
  An early variety of apple; (also) a fruit of Suriname.
  fenouil1664
  
  = fennel apple, n.
  go-no-further1664–
  
  A variety of apple having fairly large fruit with yellow and purplish-red skin.
  reinetting1664
  
  = reinette, n. Cf. renneting, n.¹
  Westbury apple1664–1747
  
  A cultivated variety of apple originating in Hampshire, used chiefly for making cider.
  seek-no-farther1670–
  
  A kind of apple.
  nonsuch1676–
  
  Any of several varieties of apple suitable for both cooking and eating (also nonsuch apple); now chiefly in Peasgood's nonsuch. Also: the tree…
  white-wining1676
  
  In white-wining, a variety of apple.
  russet1686–
  
  Any of numerous varieties of apple having a rough skin with a brownish or greyish cast; an apple of such a variety. Frequently with distinguishing…
  calville1691–
  
  A kind of apple.
  fennel apple1699–1721
  
  The name of a variety of apple.
  queen1699–
  
  Technical uses. = queen apple, n. (rare).
  genet1706–
  
  Chiefly English regional. A kind of early-ripening apple. Cf. jenneting, n. a.
  fig-apple1707–
  
  A kind of apple (see quot.).
  oaken pin1707–
  
  Any of several tough varieties of apple; (originally) spec. †a late-ripening cooking apple noted for its keeping qualities (obsolete).
  musk1708–98
  
  Short for musk apple, musk pear at compounds C.4a. Obsolete.
  nonpareil1726–
  
  Any of several formerly popular varieties of apple characterized by very late ripening and a sweet-sharp flavour (also nonpareil apple). Also: a…
  costing1731–36
  
  In full summer costing. A variety of apple (perhaps an early-ripening costard). Cf. costard, n.¹
  monstrous reinette1731–1824
  
  A very large variety of rennet, used as a cooking and dessert apple.
  Newtown pippin1760–
  
  A variety of dessert apple with a yellowish-green skin and aromatic flesh, highly regarded by connoisseurs.
  Ribston1782–
  
  More fully †Ribston Park pippin, Ribston pippin. A variety of dessert apple prized for its rich flavour, supposed to have originated from a pip…
  Rhode Island greening1795–
  
  A large North American green-skinned apple with crisp, acidic flesh, used chiefly for cooking; the tree producing this apple.
  oslin1801–
  
  An early-ripening variety of apple having a yellow skin and flesh, reputed to have been cultivated originally in Scotland. Also Oslin pippin.
  wine apple1802–
  
  A large red apple with a winy flavour.
  fall pippin1803–
  
  A variety of apple grown mainly in the United States, having large, yellow-skinned fruits, ripening in mid-autumn; an apple or tree of this variety.
  monstrous pippin1817–
  
  The American apple variety Gloria Mundi, which has very large yellow fruits used for cooking.
  Newtown Spitzenburg1817–
  
  A red-skinned variety of dessert apple with sweet, firm flesh.
  Gravenstein1821–
  
  A variety of dessert apple, which has large fruit with yellow, red-streaked skin.
  Red Astrachan1822–
  
  A red-skinned dessert apple of Russian origin, grown chiefly in the United States.
  Tolman sweet1822–
  
  A yellow-skinned apple belonging to a variety originally developed in Rhode Island; also, the variety itself, or the tree bearing this fruit.
  grange apple1823–
  
  A particular variety of apple.
  orange pippin1823–
  
  Baldwin1826–
  
  A common variety of eating apple; a tree bearing this variety of apple.
  wine-sap1826–
  
  A large red American winter apple.
  Jonathan1831–
  
  A red-skinned variety of dessert apple, first introduced in the United States.
  Sturmer Pippin1831–
  
  To designate a late-ripening dessert apple belonging to a variety developed in Sturmer in the 1830s by S. and J. Dillistone (fl. 1827-50) and…
  rusty-coat1843–
  
  Any of numerous varieties of apple having a russet skin; an apple of such a variety, a russet apple. Cf. russet coat, n. 3.
  Newtowner1846
  
  = Newtown pippin n. at Newtown, n.² I.1.
  Northern Spy1847–
  
  A North American red-flushed, late-ripening variety of apple, used both as a dessert apple and for cooking.
  Cornish gilliflowerc1850–
  
  A variety of apple.
  Blenheim Orange1860–
  
  A golden-coloured apple; also elliptical.
  Cox1860–
  
  Used in the possessive of a variety of orange pippin, or an apple of this variety; also elliptical.
  nutmeg pippin1860–
  
  A small, russeted, richly flavoured variety of apple.
  McIntosh Red1876–
  
  More fully McIntosh Red. A variety of dessert apple having a purplish red flush on a yellow or greenish-yellow ground. Also: the tree producing this…
  Worcester1877–
  
  Used attributively (with Pearmain or apple) and absol. to designate an early, slightly conical red-skinned dessert apple belonging to a variety…
  raspberry apple1894
  
  A variety of apple having the flavour of raspberries.
  delicious1898–
  
  With capital initial. Any of various cultivated varieties of dessert apple originating in the United States, most of which belong to a group…
  Golden Delicious1917–
  
  A variety of dessert apple with a yellow-green skin and sweet flesh; a tree of this variety; frequently attributive.
  Laxton's Superb1920–
  
  Used in the possessive to designate several varieties of fruit bred and introduced by Laxton Brothers, esp. Laxton's Superb n. a popular…
  Melba apple1928–
  
  = sense II.4.
  Melba1933–
  
  A variety of apple originally developed in Canada (see sense I.3).
  Mutsu1951–
  
  A large yellow-green variety of dessert apple developed in Japan as a cross between Golden Delicious and Indo; the tree bearing this fruit. Also…
  Newtown1953–
  
  = Newtown pippin n. at sense I.1.
  discovery1964–
  
  With capital initial. A variety of early-fruiting dessert apple, having a yellow skin flushed with crimson and flesh with a pinkish tinge.
  View in Historical Thesaurus
adjective
[attributive use of n.]
1. 1.
  
  Dearly loved, very dear; best-loved, favourite.
  1. 1.a.
    1596–
    
    Of persons.
    [1509
    Dyane derlyng pale as any leade.
    S. Hawes, Pastime of Pleasure xvi. lxxii]
    1596
    Dred infant, Venus dearling doue.
    E. Spenser, Second Part of Faerie Queene iv. Proem sig. A2^v
    1667
    His darling Sons.
    J. Milton, Paradise Lost ii. 373
    1736
    Our dearling prince.
    W. Thompson, Epithalamium xiv. 9
    a1822
    My darling little Cyclops.
    P. B. Shelley, Cyclops in Posthumous Poems (1824) 341
    1850
    My unchanged love is with my darling child.
    C. Dickens, David Copperfield xxxii. 334
    the mind emotion love loved one [adjectives]
    dearOld English–
    
    Regarded with personal feelings of high estimation and affection; held in deep and tender esteem; beloved, loved.
    dearlyOld English–1826
    
    Dear.
    liefOld English–
    
    Beloved, dear, agreeable, acceptable, precious. Also lief and dear. In attributive use. Obsolete exc. archaic.
    lief and dearOld English–
    
    Beloved, dear, agreeable, acceptable, precious. Also lief and dear. In predicative use. Const. dative or to, unto, esp. in liefer was (or were) to…
    lovedOld English–
    
    That is the object of love or affection; beloved. In attributive use now chiefly poetic except with prefixed adverb as dearly loved, much-loved…
    sweetOld English–
    
    Dearly loved or prized, precious; beloved, dear.
    dearworth?c1225–1557
    
    Of persons: Dearly esteemed, dear, beloved.
    chere1297–1540
    
    Dear. Of persons. Also as n.
    lovered1340–1450
    
    Loving; friendly.
    beloveda1375–
    
    (Dearly) loved.
    dearworthyc1374–1485
    
    = dearworth, adj.
    chary?a1400–1820
    
    Dear; precious, cherished. Obsolete.
    sugaredc1475–1583
    
    figurative. Full of sweetness; honeyed, luscious, delicious. Of persons: Sweet, precious. Obsolete.
    tender1485–1616
    
    transferred. That is the object of tender feeling; tenderly loved; dear, beloved, precious. Obsolete.
    chereful1486–1500
    
    Dear, loving.
    affectionatea1513
    
    Held in affection, beloved. Obsolete. rare.
    dilect1521
    
    Beloved.
    chare1583
    
    Dear. Cf. chary, adj. 3, chere, adj.
    ingling1595–98
    
    Dearly loved, beloved. Also: flattering, affectionate.
    darling1596–
    
    Dearly loved, very dear; best-loved, favourite. Of persons.
    affected1600–54
    
    Chiefly of a person: loved, beloved. Obsolete.
    in the love of1631–64
    
    in the love of: beloved by. Frequently in the love of God. Obsolete.
    jewel-darling1643
    
    That is as precious or highly prized as a jewel.
    adorable1653–
    
    Worthy of or inspiring great affection or admiration. Now usually in weakened sense: charming, delightful.
    fonded1684
    
    (a) Deluded, foolish; (b) beloved, dear.
    endeared1841–
    
    Regarded with affection, beloved.
    dotey1852–
    
    Of a person, animal, etc.: dear, darling; lovable, sweet, cute. Also occasionally of things: charming, pretty.
    View in Historical Thesaurus
  2. 1.b.
    1609–
    
    Of things.
    1609
    Rough windes do shake the darling buds of Maie.
    W. Shakespeare, Sonnets xviii. sig. B4^v
    1645
    To Acknowledge my darling faults.
    T. Fuller, Good Thoughts in Bad Times iv. xvii. 230
    1701
    Philosophy was his darling Study.
    W. Wotton, History of Rome i. 7
    1799
    The Devil did grin, for his darling sin Is pride that apes humility.
    S. T. Coleridge, Devil's Thoughts vi
    1849
    A few enthusiasts..were bent on pursuing..their darling phantom of a republic.
    T. B. Macaulay, History of England vol. I. 101
    the mind emotion love loved one [adjectives] loved very much of things
    dearc1175–
    
    The preceding passed gradually into a sense in which personal affection or attachment became the predominant notion as in A.I.2: Precious in one's…
    darling1609–
    
    Dearly loved, very dear; best-loved, favourite. Of things.
    View in Historical Thesaurus
2. 2.
  1805–
  
  Sweetly pretty or charming, ‘sweet’. affected.
  1805
  We all follow'd them out of doors across a Garden to a darling place.
  E. Cavanagh, Letter 4 October in M. Wilmot & C. Wilmot, Russ. Journals (1934) ii. 187
  1854
  Isn't it the darlingest, sweetest, prettiest, little dear darling darling! Oh! did you ever!!
  Punch March 116
  1858
  Darling Beatrice came..in short clothes with darling little stockings and..pink satin shoes—really too darling.
  Queen Victoria, Letter 1 April in Dearest Child (1964) 84
  1906
  You have a darling little note-book..to match your frock.
  Punch 21 March 215/1
  1908
  It is perfectly darling of you to have chosen Hughie.
  B. Harraden, Interplay 373
  1937
  Your little boy did so beautifully... He was simply darling.
  D. Aldis, Time at Her Heels v. 109
  1952
  I've seen them with you in the Co-op, Dr. Mulcahy. They're darling.
  M. McCarthy, Groves of Academe (1953) i. 14
  1970
  Isn't it going to be darling!
  New Yorker 28 February 54/2
  the mind attention and judgement beauty pleasing appearance [adjectives] pretty
  gentc1275–1824
  
  Chiefly poetic. Of a woman or child: graceful and elegant in manners or appearance. Obsolete (archaic in later use).
  pretty1440–
  
  Of a person, esp. a woman or child: attractive and pleasing in appearance; good-looking, esp. in a delicate or diminutive way.
  jant1638
  
  Variant of gent, adj. & n.¹ & adv. Obsolete.
  dimber1665–
  
  Pretty.
  belle1668
  
  Pretty, handsome. Obsolete as English.
  genty1701–
  
  Suitable for or characteristic of a genteel person; dainty, pretty, graceful.
  prettyish1741–
  
  Fairly pretty or attractive.
  maidenish-looking1789
  
  darling1805–
  
  Sweetly pretty or charming, ‘sweet’. affected.
  pooty1825–
  
  = pretty, adj.
  pitty1826–
  
  Pretty.
  purty1829–
  
  = pretty, adj. Also as n.: = pretty, n.
  mooi1850–
  
  Pretty; good; nice.
  dotey1852–
  
  Of a person, animal, etc.: dear, darling; lovable, sweet, cute. Also occasionally of things: charming, pretty.
  cute1868–
  
  (Originally U.S. colloquial and Schoolboy slang.) Used of things in same way as cunning, adj. 6. Now in general colloquial use, applied to people as…
  View in Historical Thesaurus

Pronunciation

British English

/ˈdɑːlɪŋ/

DAR-ling

U.S. English

/ˈdɑrlɪŋ/

DAR-ling

Frequency

darling typically occurs about five times per million words in modern written English.

darling is in frequency band 5, which contains words occurring between 1 and 10 times per million words in modern written English. More about OED's frequency bands

Frequency data is computed programmatically, and should be regarded as an estimate.

Frequency of darling, n.¹ & adj., 1750–2010

* Occurrences per million words in written English

Historical frequency series are derived from Google Books Ngrams (version 2), a data set based on the Google Books corpus of several million books printed in English between 1500 and 2010.

The overall frequency for a given word is calculated by summing frequencies for the main form of the word, any plural or inflected forms, and any major spelling variations.

For sets of homographs (distinct entries that share the same word-form, e.g. mole, n.¹, mole, n.², mole, n.³, etc.), we have estimated the frequency of each homograph entry as a fraction of the total Ngrams frequency for the word-form. This may result in inaccuracies.

Smoothing has been applied to series for lower-frequency words, using a moving-average algorithm. This reduces short-term fluctuations, which may be produced by variability in the content of the Google Books corpus.

Decade	Frequency per million words
1750	5.4
1760	5.3
1770	5.5
1780	5.2
1790	5.4
1800	5.4
1810	5.3
1820	4.8
1830	4.5
1840	4.7
1850	6.4
1860	8.3
1870	9.2
1880	8.4
1890	7.2
1900	6.4
1910	6.4
1920	6.8
1930	6.9
1940	6.5
1950	5.3
1960	4.4
1970	4.3
1980	4.6
1990	5.0
2000	5.0
2010	5.2

Frequency of darling, n.¹ & adj., 2017–2023

* Occurrences per million words in written English

Modern frequency series are derived from a corpus of 20 billion words, covering the period from 2017 to the present. The corpus is mainly compiled from online news sources, and covers all major varieties of World English.

Period	Frequency per million words
Oct.–Dec. 2017	3.9
Jan.–Mar. 2018	4.0
Apr.–June 2018	4.0
July–Sept. 2018	3.9
Oct.–Dec. 2018	3.8
Jan.–Mar. 2019	3.7
Apr.–June 2019	3.8
July–Sept. 2019	3.6
Oct.–Dec. 2019	3.5
Jan.–Mar. 2020	3.1
Apr.–June 2020	2.9
July–Sept. 2020	2.9
Oct.–Dec. 2020	3.3
Jan.–Mar. 2021	3.4
Apr.–June 2021	3.5
July–Sept. 2021	3.5
Oct.–Dec. 2021	3.6
Jan.–Mar. 2022	3.8
Apr.–June 2022	5.2
July–Sept. 2022	5.9
Oct.–Dec. 2022	6.0
Jan.–Mar. 2023	4.9

Compounds & derived words

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dilling, n. 1584–

A term of endearment, sometimes equivalent to darling, sometimes, the youngest of a family, the last born. In modern dialects applied to the weakling…

mother's darling, n. 1592–

A favoured or favourite child; (also) = mother's boy, n.

jewel-darling, adj. 1643

That is as precious or highly prized as a jewel.

darling-like, adj. 1873–

darlingly, adv. 1873–

darlingness, n. 1875–

darling, v. 1888–

(transitive) to address as ‘darling’.

darlint, n. 1888–

= darling, n.¹ A.1.

darl, n. 1930–

= darling, n.¹ A.1a.

media darling, n. 1977–

A person who is featured frequently (and esp. favourably) in the mass media.

Personal account

darlingnoun1 & adjective

Quotations

Earlier version

In other dictionaries

Factsheet

What does the word darling mean?

Entry status

How common is the word darling?

How is the word darling pronounced?

British English

U.S. English

Where does the word darling come from?

Nearby entries

Etymology

Summary

Meaning & use

Quotations

Contents

Earlier version

In other dictionaries

Pronunciation

British English

U.S. English

Consonants

Vowels

Other symbols

Consonants

Vowels

Other symbols

Consonants

Vowels

Forms

Variant forms

Frequency

Frequency of darling, n.¹ & adj., 1750–2010

Frequency of darling, n.¹ & adj., 2017–2023

Compounds & derived words

Quotations

Earlier version

In other dictionaries

Factsheet

What does the word darling mean?

Entry status

How common is the word darling?

How is the word darling pronounced?

British English

U.S. English

Where does the word darling come from?

Nearby entries

Etymology

Summary

Meaning & use

Quotations

Contents

Earlier version

In other dictionaries

Pronunciation

British English

U.S. English

British English

Consonants

Vowels

Other symbols

U.S. English

Consonants

Vowels

Other symbols

Simple Text Respell

Consonants

Vowels

Forms

Variant forms

Frequency

Frequency of darling, n.¹ & adj., 1750–2010

Frequency of darling, n.¹ & adj., 2017–2023

Compounds & derived words