Headling

From Middle English hedling, hevedling, from Old English hēafodling ("an equal, fellow-servant"), equivalent to head + -ling. Cognate with German Häuptling ("chief, chieftain").

Full definition of headling

Noun

1. (obsolete) An equal; a fellow; mate.
2. (obsolete) A chieftain.

From Middle English hedling, heedling, hevedlynge ("headlong"), equivalent to head + -ling; and with adverbial genitive -s, -es, hedlinges, hedlynges, equivalent to + -s. Cognate with Scots heidlingis ("headlong"), Middle High German houbetlingen ("headlong").

Alternative forms

• headlings

Adverb

1. Headlong; precipitately.