bantling
- noun
- /ˈbænt.lɪŋ/
- Offensive
:
criaturilla
- In the old novel, the wealthy merchant dismissed the orphan as a mere bantling unworthy of attention.
Examples
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He is just a bantling in the world of politics.
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She was treated like a bantling by her older siblings, never taken seriously.
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The lord looked down on the young bantling who dared to speak out in the hall.
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The bantlings of the village were often overlooked.
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In the old novel, the wealthy merchant dismissed the orphan as a mere bantling unworthy of attention.
-
The lord looked down on the young bantling who dared to speak out in the hall.
-
She was treated like a bantling by her older siblings, never taken seriously.
Synonyms
14
5.8
A person or thing of little importance
3
9.9
A small mean person that others dislike
1
9.9
A very small person, often a child
1
9.9
A small person, often a child who is not fully grown
1
9.9
A young noble with little real power who people mock
1
9.9
A small child or person treated with love and care
A foolish person who others treat as unimportant
Antonyms
How Insignificant
Surface Forms
Morphology
bantling = bant + ling
The diminutive/pejorative force of '-ling' suggests a small or insignificant person, but 'bant' itself is not a recognizable modern English base, so the relation is only partially inferable.
Etymology
The word bantling comes from bant plus the English ending -ling, the same '-ling' that makes duckling mean 'small duck'. A helpful way to remember the second meaning is that calling someone a bantling in old books shows they are a 'small' or 'unimportant' person.