darkling

[ dahrk-ling ]

adverb

1. in the dark.

adjective

1. growing dark.
2. being or occurring in the dark; dark; obscure.
3. vaguely threatening or menacing.

darkling

/ ˈdɑːklɪŋ /

adverb

1. in the dark or night

adjective

1. darkening or almost dark; obscure

Word History and Origins

Origin of darkling¹

First recorded in 1400–50, darkling is from the late Middle English word derkeling. See dark, -ling ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of darkling¹

C15: from dark + -ling ²

Example Sentences

He entered his darkling, shabby old third-floor room and threw himself into the arm-chair before the fire to think.

From Project Gutenberg

Notwithstanding his darkling moods, he was in a subtle way singularly like Delia Vanuxem.

From Project Gutenberg

It should reach down into the ravine, where humid ferns and rocks met plants that love darkling ground.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Baker kept one of the darkling beetles (Blaps Mortisaga) alive under a glass upwards of three years.

From Project Gutenberg

Torches began to gleam by all the darkling ways, and the population poured forth in the excitement of a great event.

From Project Gutenberg