Earthling

//ˈɜːθlɪŋ// noun

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    An inhabitant of Earth, as opposed to one of heaven.

    "VVe (of all earthlings) are Gods vtmoſt ſubiects, the laſt (in a manner) that he bought to his obedience: ſhal we then forgette that vvee are any ſubiects of hys, becauſe (as amongſt his Angels) he is not viſibly conuerſant amongſt vs?"

  2. 2
    One who tills the earth; a farmer, a husbandman, a ploughman.

    "Eoꞃðlinᵹ [Eorthling], is a Husbandman, or Earthling."

  3. 3
    Alternative letter-case form of Earthling. alt-of

    "VVe (of all earthlings) are Gods vtmoſt ſubiects, the laſt (in a manner) that he bought to his obedience: ſhal we then forgette that vvee are any ſubiects of hys, becauſe (as amongſt his Angels) he is not viſibly conuerſant amongſt vs?"

  4. 4
    an inhabitant of the earth wordnet
  5. 5
    An inhabitant of Earth, as opposed to one of another planet; specifically, a sentient member of any species native to Earth.
Show 1 more definition
  1. 6
    A person who is materialistic or worldly; a worldling. archaic

Etymology

Etymology 1

From earth + -ling (suffix indicating a resident); earth is ultimately derived from Proto-Indo-European *h₁er- (“earth”). Old English ierþling (“farmer, husbandman, ploughman”, literally “one of the earth”) is formed from the same roots but generally did not outlive Old English; all modern uses are historical: see earthling. Compare also human, which is derived from Latin humus (“ground, soil”).

Etymology 2

From Middle English erthling (“farmer, ploughman”) [and other forms] (in glossaries), from Old English ierþling, eorþling (“farmer, husbandman, ploughman”) [and other forms], from eorþe (“ground; dirt; planet Earth”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₁er- (“earth”)) + -ling (suffix forming personal nouns). The English word is analysable as earth + -ling.

Etymology 3

See Earthling.

Next best steps

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: earthling