ling
UK[lɪŋ]US[lɪŋ]
n
A type of long, slender fish, especially the common ling (Molva molva), found in the North Atlantic.
n
A type of heather (Calluna vulgaris), especially in northern England and Scotland.
Etymology
The word 'ling' for the fish entered English in the late medieval period, borrowed from Middle Low German 'link' or the related Old Norse 'langa'. These Germanic terms likely derive from the root meaning 'long', referring to the fish's elongated body shape. The application of the same word to a type of heather is a distinct development in northern British dialects, possibly influenced by the plant's long, slender stems or its prevalence in 'ling moors'. This is a classic example of a simple, monosyllabic loanword that has developed two distinct but concrete meanings in English, both tied to specific regional flora and fauna.
Analysis
This word is a simplex. It is a loanword from Middle Low German or Old Norse, where it referred to the fish. The plant name is likely a separate development in northern English dialects.
Examples
The fishermen returned with a catch dominated by cod and ling.
The moorland was covered in purple ling during the late summer.
Ling is often salted and dried for preservation.