▪ I. † ˈheadling, n. Obs.
Forms: 1 héafod-, -ud-, 3 heuedling.
[f. head n.1 + -ling1: cf. darling.]
In OE., Equal, fellow, mate; in quot. 1275, Chieftain: cf. Ger. häuptling.
| c 950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt. xxiv. 49 Gif..yfle ðrael..ongann slae heafudlinges his. c 1275 Lay. 9986 Hadden hii anne heuedling [c 1205 to here-toȝe]. |
▪ II. † ˈheadling, adv. (a.) Obs.
[f. head n.1 + -ling2: cf. OE. bæcling.]
A. adv.
1. With the head foremost; headlong.
| 13.. K. Alis 2261 Heore hors hedlyng mette. 1382 Wyclif Matt. viii. 32 Al the droue wente heedlynge [1526 Tindale hedlinge] in to the see. c 1410 Sir Cleges 354, J schall..put the out hedlynge. 1540 Cranmer Bible Pref., To tumble a man heedlinge downe the hyll. |
2. Without thought or regard; precipitately.
| 1421–2 Hoccleve Dialog 647 Thou wilt nat haaste, I trowe, Vn-to thy penne and ther-with wirke heedlynge. 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 51 To renne hedlynge..vpon all ieopardyes. 1603 Knolles Hist. Turks (1621) 170 The rest of his discomfited armie flying headling back againe to Constantinople. |
B. adj. Precipitate.
| c 1510 Barclay Mirr. Gd. Manners (1570) B v, In sentence remise is lesser iniury, Then in headling sentence pronounced hastely. |