A young animal that is being raised or trained for breeding purposes; an animal of inferior breed or quality.
From 'breed' plus the diminutive suffix '-ling' (denoting something small or of inferior quality). This archaic term combines Germanic roots for both 'breeding' and 'smallness.'
The '-ling' suffix in English is fascinating because it often carries a pejorative edge—'breedling,' 'weakling,' 'hireling'—it somehow makes things sound smaller AND inferior at the same time!
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