CHANGELING CHILD Meaning and
Definition
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A "changeling child" refers to a concept found in folklore and mythology that originated in various European traditions. According to these tales, a changeling child is an enchanted or supernatural being that is substituted for a human infant by fairies, spirits, or other mystical entities. It is believed that these supernatural creatures take the place of the human child, leaving the human parents unaware of the substitution.
The term "changeling" is derived from the word "change" and symbolizes the idea of exchanging one thing for another. Changeling children are often described as being sickly or malformed, exhibiting unusual behavior, or possessing magical powers. They are thought to be difficult to appease or raise, causing strain on their human families.
Folklore suggests that fairies or other supernatural beings replace human babies with changelings for various reasons. One explanation is that the fairies desire the beauty, youth, or innocence of a human child. Another theory is that the fairies use human infants as companions or servants in their realm.
The concept of changeling children is frequently woven into cautionary tales, emphasizing the importance of protecting infants from supernatural forces. These stories often involve extraordinary efforts made by humans to reclaim or free the child, either through cleverness or magical intervention.
In modern usage, the term "changeling child" may also be metaphorically used to describe a child who behaves unusually or differently from what might be expected in their community or family.
Common Misspellings for CHANGELING CHILD
- xhangeling child
- vhangeling child
- fhangeling child
- dhangeling child
- cgangeling child
- cbangeling child
- cnangeling child
- cjangeling child
- cuangeling child
- cyangeling child
- chzngeling child
- chsngeling child
- chwngeling child
- chqngeling child
- chabgeling child
- chamgeling child
- chajgeling child
- chahgeling child
- chanfeling child
- chanveling child
Etymology of CHANGELING CHILD
The etymology of the word "changeling child" can be traced back to the late Middle English period. The term "changeling" is derived from the Middle English word "chaungeling" or "chaunglynge", which dates back to the 14th century. It is a combination of "change", meaning to exchange or replace, and the suffix "-ling", which denotes a diminutive or an offspring.
In folklore and mythology, a "changeling" refers to a child who has been secretly substituted with fairy or supernatural creatures, while the original child is taken captive. The word "child" itself has Old English origins, derived from the Germanic language and has remained relatively unchanged throughout different periods of English development. Together, "changeling child" refers to a child perceived as a replacement or impostor brought by fairies or supernatural entities.
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