Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A vetch or pea, Lathyrus sativus, extensively cultivated in the south of Europe for its seed, which is eaten like the chick-pea, and is said to be of superior quality. Also called chickling, chickling-vetch, chichling-vetch.
  • noun A small chick or chicken.
  • noun [Cf. chicaric.] A name of the bird Strepsilas interpres, or turnstone.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun A small chick or chicken.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun A small chick or chicken; a baby chick.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From chick +‎ -ling.

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Examples

  • “If thou wouldst preserve this chickling secrecy of thine, might one suggest that thou close yon portal?”

    The Earth Book of Stormgate Anderson, Poul, 1926-2001 1978

  • The story requireth that we relate that which happened unto six pilgrims, who came from Sebastian near to Nantes; and who, for shelter that night, being afraid of the enemy, had hid themselves in the garden upon the chickling peas, among the cabbages and lettuces.

    Classic French Course in English William Cleaver Wilkinson

  • The powermower went nicely, I might almost say smoothly, over the stuff cut before, muttering and chickling happily to itself as it dragged the panting gardener, inescapably harnessed, in its wake.

    Greener Than You Think Ward Moore 1940

  • Pewt come down and sed she had been to his house and to Beanys and all over the naborhood. gosh i bet we caugt her cat and sent it away. ennyway what rite had her old cat in my hencoop. tonite me and Pewt set a new trap and bated it with a fresh sucker. i have got to get the old yeller cat. one more chickling disapeared to day.

    Brite and Fair Worth Brehm 1899

  • Tifaga Jack, Donald and Edinburgh — seven horses — O, and the stallion — eight horses; five cattle; total, if my arithmetic be correct, thirteen head of beasts; I don’t know how the pigs stand, or the ducks, or the chickens; but we get a good many eggs, and now and again a duckling or a chickling for the table; the pigs are more solemn, and appear only on birthdays and sich.

    Vailima Letters 2005

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