atheling

American  

[ath-uh-ling, ath-] / ˈæθ ə lɪŋ, ˈæð- /

Or aetheling

noun

Early English History.

1. a man of royal blood; a prince.

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atheling British  

/ ˈæθɪlɪŋ /

noun

1. (in Anglo-Saxon England) a prince of any of the royal dynasties

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Etymology

Origin of atheling

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English ætheling (cognate with Old High German ediling, adalung, Old Saxon ethiling ), equivalent to æthel(u) “noble family” (cognate with Old High German adoul, German Adel, Old Saxon athal(i), Old Norse athal “nature”; akin to Tocharian atäl “man”) + -ing noun suffix; -ing ³

Example Sentences

"Is he Thorkel, or Thorkel's man?" answered the atheling, "for if he be, I will not see him."

From King Olaf's Kinsman A Story of the Last Saxon Struggle against the Danes in the Days of Ironside and Cnut by Whistler, Charles W. (Charles Watts)

Now shalt thou of deeds famed, The atheling of single heart, with all thy main deal For the warding thy life, and to stay thee I will.

From The Tale of Beowulf Sometime King of the Folk of the Weder Geats by Anonymous

The atheling advanced then, He sits down exhausted.

From Beowulf An Anglo-Saxon Epic Poem by Hall, Lesslie

For the perilous project prudent companions Chided him little, though loving him dearly; 15 They egged the brave atheling, augured him glory.

From Beowulf An Anglo-Saxon Epic Poem by Hall, Lesslie

“She said that she would give it me were the youth and the maiden of the forest the same as the atheling and his sister,” said Ethelred, merrily.

From A Maid at King Alfred?s Court by Madison, Lucy Foster