Ād'el-ing, n.

n. [A-S. ædheling, ædelyng, O. H. Ger. adaline, ediling, L. Lat. adalingus, adelingus, Pr. adelenc, O. Fr. elin, comp. of O. H. Ger. adal, edil, A-S. ædhel, edhel, Ger. edel, adel-ig, noble, and the suffix ling (as in hireling, &c.), which orig. is the same as ing, O. H. Ger. inc. We observe the term ædhel, edhel, adel, in many A-S. names of princes, as Ethel-wolf, noble wolf; Ethel-bald, noble bold; Ethel-bert, noble bright.] A title of honor, given by the Anglo-Saxons to the children of princes, and to young nobles.