rare. [f. SWEET a. + -LING1.]
1. A term of endearment for a beloved person: = SWEETING1 1.
1648. Herrick, Hesper., Connubii Flores, 40. And (Sweetling) marke you, what a Web will come Into your Chests.
1789. Conway, False Appearances, Epil. 74. Wedded sweetlings, mutually sincere, Who mean, ‘My devil!’ when they lisp, ‘My dear.’
1872. Morris, Love Is Enough (1873), 23. Mother and sister, and the sweetling that scorned me … All are departed.
1903. Speaker, 25 April, 76/2. ‘Sweetling, show me thy face,’ cried he.
2. A small sweet thing.
1840. Browning, Sordello, II. 693. John’s cloud-girt angel … with, open in his hand, A bitter-sweetling of a book. [See Rev. x. 9, 10.]
1874. R. Buchanan, London Lyrics, iv. 12. Little barefoot maiden, Selling violets blue, Hast thou ever pictured Where the sweetlings grew?
