shaveling: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowArchaic, Historical, Derogatory, Literary
Quick answer
What does “shaveling” mean?
A derogatory or contemptuous term for a young or unimportant monk or priest, specifically one with a shaven head or tonsure.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A derogatory or contemptuous term for a young or unimportant monk or priest, specifically one with a shaven head or tonsure.
Historically used, particularly during the Reformation, to disparage Catholic clergy. It can also be used more broadly to refer to a young or beardless youth.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage or meaning. The word is equally archaic in both varieties.
Connotations
Carries strong historical and religious connotations of ridicule, particularly against the Catholic clergy.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary use for both. Might be slightly more recognized in British English due to a longer historical literary tradition, but the difference is negligible.
Grammar
How to Use “shaveling” in a Sentence
[Det] + shaveling + [of/from] (monastery/order)[Adj] (derogatory) + shavelingVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical or theological texts discussing Reformation-era polemics.
Everyday
Not used; would sound archaic and potentially offensive.
Technical
Not used in any modern technical fields.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shaveling”
- Using it in a modern, non-derogatory context.
- Confusing it with 'shaving' (the act of hair removal).
- Misspelling as 'shavelin' or 'shavling'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an archaic term and is very rarely used in modern English outside of historical or literary contexts.
Almost never. Its formation with the diminutive '-ling' and its historical usage imbue it with a derogatory or contemptuous tone.
It comes from Middle English, combining 'shaven' (past participle of 'shave') and the suffix '-ling', which often denotes someone belonging to a specified class or having a specified quality, sometimes with a diminutive or derogatory sense.
Primarily, yes, due to its historical use during the Protestant Reformation. However, by extension, it could be used for any monk or cleric with a shaven head, but the strong historical association remains.
A derogatory or contemptuous term for a young or unimportant monk or priest, specifically one with a shaven head or tonsure.
Shaveling is usually archaic, historical, derogatory, literary in register.
Shaveling: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃeɪvlɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃeɪvlɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SHAVE + LING (a small one). A small, shaven person - a young, insignificant monk.
Conceptual Metaphor
CLERGY ARE DEFACED (by shaving) / YOUTH IS INSIGNIFICANT
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'shaveling' be most appropriately used?