▪ I. guestling1
(ˈgɛstlɪŋ)
Also 9 gestling.
[App. connected with guest n. There is a place named Guestling near Hastings.]
The name of an assembly of representatives of the corporations of the Cinque Ports, formerly held annually.
| 1629 in Boys Sandwich (1792) 749 The ancient assemblies of brotherhood and guestling. 1683 Addr. fr. Cinque-Ports in Lond. Gaz. No. 1857/2 The humble Address of the Mayors, Bayliffs [etc.] of the Cinque-Ports..Assembled at a Brotherhood and Guestling holden at New Romeney. 1771 Gentl. Mag. XLI. 332 To represent that Corporation [Sandwich] at a general meeting of the Cinque Ports, two antient towns, and their Members, called the Brotherhood and Guestling. 1888 Burrows Cinque Ports 177-8 The Guestling consisted of the Mayor (formerly the Bailiff), two jurats, and two commoners from each of the seven Corporate Members of the Ports, to which in modern times was added Deal. When both sets of representatives were assembled they were called a ‘Brotherhood and Guestling’. 1891 J. Simson Historic Thanet 30 The books recording the proceedings of the Brotherhoods and Guestlings of the Cinque Ports are still extant. |
▪ II. guestling2
(ˈgɛstlɪŋ)
[f. guest n. + -ling.]
A young guest.
| 1855 Bailey Mystic 141 The fay-queen..Came forthright to greet her crownèd spouse, and royal guestling there. 1876 Motley Corr. 18 Aug. II. 393 The déjuner dinatoire was worthy of the imperial guestling. |