Changeling

Quick meaning: Changeling is a noun meaning (by extension) A person or object (especially when regarded as inferior) secretly exchanged for something else.

Meaning

(by extension) A person or object (especially when regarded as inferior) secretly exchanged for something else.

More Meanings

1. (by extension, informal, rare) An infant secretly exchanged with another infant deliberately or by mistake; a swapling.
2. (fantasy, science fiction) An organism which can change shape to mimic others; a shape-shifter.
3. (European folklore, also figurative) In pre-modern European folklore: an infant of a magical creature that was secretly exchanged for a human infant. In British, Irish and Scandinavian mythology the exchanged infants were thought to be those of fairies, sprites or trolls; in other places, they were ascribed to demons, devils, or witches.
4. (archaic, also figurative) A person apt to change their loyalty or thinking; a waverer.
5. (obsolete) An idiot, a simpleton.
6. (archaic, rare) Changeable, fickle, inconstant, wavering.

Example Sentences

Nothing will induce parents to show any attention to a child that they suspect of being a changeling.

[S]he, as her attendant, hath / A louely boy ſtollen, from an Indian king: / She neuer had ſo ſweete a changeling.

Juſt as a Changeling ſeems below the reſt / Of Men, or rather is a two-legg’d Beaſt, / So theſe Gigantick Souls amaz'd we find / As much above the reſt of human kind.

His nurse had told him all about changelings, and how the little people would always try to steal a beautiful human child out of its cradle and put in its stead one of their own ailing, puking brats [...]

Word Forms

• changelings

Synonyms for changeling

Depending on context, synonyms include oaf, swapling, shape-shifter, shapeshifter, shifter, turncoat.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include imbecile, moron, idiot, half-wit, retard, cretin.

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