Associations to the word «Changeling»

Wiktionary

CHANGELING, noun. (mythology) In British, Irish and Scandinavian mythology, an infant of a fairy, sprite or troll that the creature has secretly exchanged for a human infant.
CHANGELING, noun. (informal) (rare) An infant secretly exchanged with another infant; swapling.
CHANGELING, noun. (science fiction and fantasy) An organism which can change shape to mimic others.
CHANGELING, noun. (obsolete) A simpleton; an idiot.
CHANGELING, noun. (obsolete) One apt to change; a waverer.

Dictionary definition

CHANGELING, noun. A person of subnormal intelligence.
CHANGELING, noun. A child secretly exchanged for another in infancy.

Wise words

Words are always getting conventionalized to some secondary meaning. It is one of the works of poetry to take the truants in custody and bring them back to their right senses.
William Butler Yeats