CHANGELING • DICCIONARIO INGLES.COM • Definition of Changeling

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noun

Changeling n.

One who, or that which, is left or taken in the place of another, as a child exchanged by fairies. "Such, men do changelings call, so changed by fairies' theft." "The changeling (a substituted writing) never known."

A simpleton; an idiot. "Changelings and fools of heaven, and thence shut out." "Wildly we roam in discontent about."

One apt to change; a waverer. "Fickle changelings."

adjective

Changeling adj.

Taken or left in place of another; changed. "A little changeling boy."

Given to change; inconstant. (Obs.) "Some are so studiously changeling."

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Etymology of 'Changeling'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Changeling" Quotes from Famous Books

... is my mother's sister," says Miss Wynter calmly. "I have seen my mother's picture. It is lovely! Aunt Jane was a changeling—I'm sure of it. But never mind her. You ...

— A Little Rebel • Mrs. Hungerford

... mettest with things dying, I with things new-born. Here's a sight for thee; look thee, a bearing-cloth for a squire's child! look thee here; take up, take up, boy; open't. So, let's see:—it was told me I should be rich by the fairies: this is some changeling:—open't. What's ...

— The Winter's Tale - [Collins Edition] • William Shakespeare

... his employment, lo! both mother and daughter were weeping. He looked at them with a wondering stare; and then, as if he felt he had been harsh, he flew again to his Familiar. And now you thought you heard the lullaby which a fairy might sing to some fretful changeling it had adopted and sought to soothe. Liquid, low, silvery, streamed the tones beneath the enchanted bow. The most stubborn grief would have paused to hear; and withal, at times, out came a wild, merry, ...

— Zanoni • Edward Bulwer Lytton

... crisp and cheery as the twitter of a bird, and yet forever ran an undercadence through it like a low-pleading prayer. Half garrulously, and like a shallow brook might brawl across a shelvy bottom, the rhythmic little changeling thus began: ...

— Pipes O'Pan at Zekesbury • James Whitcomb Riley

... thank the creature for leaving such a unique specimen, at least," laughed Mr. Garth, completely mollified; (if you will not accuse us of an insane desire to make a pun). "Come, fairy changeling, and let's ...

— Sara, a Princess • Fannie E. Newberry

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