sb. Also 6 saftlynge. [f. SOFT a. + -LING1.]

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  1.  An effeminate or unmanly person; a weakling.

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1547.  Homilies, I. Agst. Adultery (1559), Y j. Nor adulterers, nor saftlynges, nor sodomites.

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1576.  Bp. Woolton, Chr. Man., L 6 b. Effeminate men and softlings cause the stoute man to waxe tender.

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1605.  Sylvester, Du Bartas, II. iii. IV. Captaines, 983. Ador’d of Flatterers, Of Softlings, Wantons, Braves, and Loyterers.

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1605.  I. Taylor, Restoration of Belief, 40. This Emperor—no softling himself.

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  2.  A soft little hand, mouse, etc.

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1817.  Keats, Endym., IV. 316. This cannot be thy hand, and yet it is; And this is sure thine other softling.

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1855.  Browning, Fra Lippo Lippi, 10. And nip each softling of a wee white mouse.

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  3.  attrib. Of a soft nature.

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1732.  Welsted, Of Dulness & Scandal, 6.

        A softling Head! that spleeny Whims devour;
With Will to Satyr, while deny’d the Power!

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1874.  D. Gray, Poet. Wks., 137. With her softling finger tips She touched my hand.

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