Now dial. Forms: see TWIN; also 4–6 -lyng(e, -linge, 5 -lenge, 8 -lin; 5 twyndyllyng. [ME., f. TWIN a. and sb. + -LING1. Cf. in the same sense Norw. dial. tvinnling, MSw. and MDa. tvinling, NFris. twen-, twanling, MLG. twenneling, MHG. zwinlinch, zwineling, (OHG. zwiniling); also the reduced or variant forms Da., Sw., Norw. tvilling, WFris. twielling (twilling), MDu. twilinc, twēlinc (Du. tweeling), MLG. twēlinc, MHG. zwillinc (G. zwilling).] = TWIN sb. 1.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 3445 (Cott.). Now sco bredes tua for ane, Tuinlinges [v.rr. tuynlinges, twynlynges, twinlinges].
1382. Wyclif, Song Sol. iv. 5. Thi two tetes as two ȝunge capretes, twynlingus of the capret.
c. 1430. Chev. Assigne, 27. Se ȝe þe ȝonder pore womman, how þat she is pyned With twynlenges two.
1483. Cath. Angl., 399/1. A Twynlynge (A. Twyndyllyng), gemellus.
1573. Tusser, Husb. (1878), 81. Twinlings be twiggers.
a. 1625. Sir H. Finch, Law (1636), 334. Two being found heires by one and the same title, whether twinlings … or diuerse men … found heires to the same auncestour.
1710. Hilman, Tusser Redivivus (1744), 8. In some part of Norfolk and Lincolnshire they will keep none but Twinlins.
b. attrib. = TWIN a. 3.
1573. Twyne, Æneid., XII. L l ij. A priest … A younglings yelt of brestled sow, and twynlinge sheepe vntwight Bringes forth, and hales the beastes vnto the altars.
