badling

English

Etymology 1

From Middle English *badling, from Old English bædling (an effeminate person), equivalent to bad + -ling.

Noun

badling (plural badlings)

  1. (rare) An effeminate or womanish man.
    • 2001, Peter Novobatzky, Ammon Shea, Insulting English:
      "After the storm, all the women and children bailed desperately to keep the lifeboat from sinking. Not Lucas the badling, though. He just hopped up and down in the stern, flapping his arms in the air and exclaiming, 'Oh my, oh, my!'"
  2. (rare) One who is bad; a worthless person.
    • 2011, R.T. Raichev, Murder at the Villa Byzantine:
      The presence of the badling – poor little Clemmie – was causing particular tension.

Etymology 2

Perhaps from an alteration of paddling.

Noun

badling (plural badlings)

  1. A brood, group, or flock of ducks.

Anagrams

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