A young, novice, or junior friar; a friar of low rank or recent initiation into the order.
Compound of 'friar' and the diminutive suffix '-ling,' which comes from Old English and typically indicates something small, young, or inferior. Similar formations include 'duckling,' 'sapling,' and 'underling.'
The '-ling' suffix is wonderfully expressive in English—it can mean 'small' but also has a slightly condescending or affectionate tone, like calling someone a 'weakling' or 'stripling.' A friarling would be under strict training and supervision within the religious community.
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