( ˈwɪtlɪŋ )

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Word origin

[

wit

1

-ling

1

]

This word is first recorded in the period 1685–95. Other words that entered English at around the same time include: accumulator , blowhole , protectorate , solo , sterilize

-ling is a suffix of nouns, often pejorative, denoting one concerned with ( hireling; underling ), or diminutive ( princeling; duckling )

1685–95;