Changeling

Pronunciation: /ˈtʃeɪndʒlɪŋ/

Definitions of changeling

noun a child believed to have been secretly substituted by fairies for the parents' real child in infancy

Example Sentences

A1 The changeling in the fairy tale looked just like the princess.

A2 The villagers believed the baby was a changeling because of its unusual behavior.

B1 In folklore, a changeling is a child believed to have been secretly substituted by fairies.

B2 The novel explores the theme of identity through the character of a changeling.

C1 The changeling's true nature was revealed in the final act of the play.

C2 The film delves into the psychological implications of being a changeling in a modern society.

Examples of changeling in a Sentence

formal The folklore of a changeling is often found in European mythology.

informal I heard a story about a changeling who was swapped at birth.

slang That kid is like a changeling, always changing their appearance.

figurative The caterpillar undergoes a transformation, like a changeling turning into a butterfly.

Grammatical Forms of changeling

• past tense: changelings
• plural: changelings
• comparative: more changeling
• superlative: most changeling
• present tense: changeling
• future tense: will changeling
• perfect tense: have changeling
• continuous tense: is changeling
• singular: changeling
• positive degree: changeling
• infinitive: to changeling
• gerund: changeling
• participle: changeling

Origin and Evolution of changeling

First Known Use: 1250 year

Language of Origin: Middle English

Story behind the word: The term 'changeling' originated from European folklore, specifically in Celtic and Scandinavian traditions.

Evolution of the word: Originally used to describe a fairy child left in place of a human child, the term 'changeling' has evolved to also refer to a child believed to have been secretly substituted by fairies or supernatural beings, or more broadly, to someone who has been changed or replaced in some way.