Nurseling: meaning, definitions and examples
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nurseling
[ ˈnɜːrslɪŋ ]
young nurse
A nurseling is a young child, specifically an infant or a very young baby, that is often in the process of being breastfed or cared for by a nurse or a nursing mother. This term emphasizes the vulnerability and dependence of young children on their caregivers for nourishment and care.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The nurseling cooed softly in her cradle.
- She gently rocked the nurseling to sleep.
- The health visitor examined the nurseling during the home visit.
Etymology
The word 'nurseling' is derived from the Old English word 'nurs' which meant to nourish or to feed. This evolved into the Middle English usage, where nurturing and care were essential aspects of the term. The suffix '-ling' is a diminutive suffix in English, often used to denote something young or small. Thus, nurseling combines the concept of nurturing with the idea of youth, specifically referring to a young child or infant that requires feeding and care from a caregiver. Although not commonly used in everyday language today, it reflects the historical emphasis on the nurturing role of caregivers throughout human society.