changeling

[ cheynj-ling ]

noun

1. a child surreptitiously or unintentionally substituted for another.
2. (in folklore) an ugly, stupid, or strange child left by fairies in place of a pretty, charming child.
3. Philately. a postage stamp that, by accident or intention, has been chemically changed in color.
4. Archaic.
   1. a renegade or turncoat.
   2. an imbecile.

changeling

/ ˈtʃeɪndʒlɪŋ /

noun

1. a child believed to have been exchanged by fairies for the parents' true child
2. archaic.
   1. an idiot
   2. a fickle or changeable person

Word History and Origins

Origin of changeling¹

First recorded in 1545–55; change + -ling ¹

Example Sentences

That metaphor of the outcast changeling, rejected for who she is at her core by a rigid society, earned a loyal following — and accolades, including an Eisner Award and a National Book Award nomination.

From Los Angeles Times

A changeling is what a fairy or demon or troll leaves behind when it kidnaps a human baby.

From New York Times

The Borg and the changelings came to an agreement in which the changelings would be the Borg’s vehicle to carry out some villainous plan to help them procreate.

From New York Times

I’m sure there’s no strategic advantage to examining a superior changeling ship’s technology when many of them have taken over Starfleet, but we digress.

From New York Times

His grand idea was to lure the changelings from the Shrike, a superior ship, onto the Titan?

From New York Times

Related Words

• backup
• replacement
• stand-in
• surrogate