[f. FAT v. + -LING; cf. nursling.] A calf, lamb, or other young animal fatted for slaughter.
1526–34. Tindale, Matt. xxii. 4. Lo I have prepared my dynner; myne oxen and my fatlinges are kylled, and all things are redy; come vnto the mariage.
1570. Bryan, in Farr, S. P. Eliz. (1845), II. 335.
| My fatlings then I’ll tender, | |
| And offrings to thee make. |
1611. Bible, Isa. xi. 6. The wolfe also shall dwell with the lambe, and the leopard shall lie downe with the kid: and the calfe and the yong lion, and the fatling together, and a litle child shall lead them.
1725. Pope, Odyss., VIII. 53.
| Two beeves, twelve fatlings, from the flock they bring | |
| To crown the feast; so wills the bounteous king. |
1877. Bryant, Poems, Sella, 303.
| The herd | |
| Had given its fatlings for the marriage feast. |
attrib. 1870. Bryant, Iliad, I. IX. 275.
| On it laid | |
| Chines of a sheep and of a fatling goat. |
