bantling

noun

bant·​ling ˈbant-liŋ How to pronounce bantling (audio)
: a very young child

Word History

Etymology

perhaps modification of German Bänkling bastard, from Bank bench, from Old High German — more at bench

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bantling was in 1593

Dictionary Entries Near bantling

Cite this Entry

“Bantling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bantling. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on bantling

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!