The Collaborative International Dictionary
Shaveling \Shave"ling\, n. A man shaved; hence, a monk, or other religious; -- used in contempt.
I am no longer a shaveling than while my frock is on my
back.
--Sir W.
Scott.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
contemptuous term for a friar, literally "shaven person," 1520s, from shave + -ling. "Very common in 16th and 17th c." [OED]. Also as an adjective (1570s).
Wiktionary
n. 1 Someone with all or part of their head shaved, notably a tonsured clergyman; often used as a derogatory comment directed at priests or monks. 2 A shaver, stripling, young man physically ripe enough to shave.
Usage examples of "shaveling".
It is such a mouth as we can imagine some remorseless inquisitor to have had--that is, not an inquisitor filled with holy zeal for what he mistakenly thought the cause of Christ demanded, but a spleeny, envious, rancorous shaveling, who tortured men from hatred of their superiority to him, and sheer love of inflicting pain.
Some shaveling has been telling him that there are heretics on his land: Stadings, worshippers of black cats, baby-eaters, and such like.
Obviously well under twenty years of age, the shaveling advocate was of average height and stocky physique, black-haired and swarthy of complexion: not an advocate who would transfix by sheer physical presence, though his face was pleasant enough.
And I heard her lie, like the Um Kulsum that she is, first none believing her, then one or two, and then all believing her, because there was no trace of me, and the shaveling lacked an explanation for his change of garments.
I set forth again, abandoning hope of the shaveling, but praising Allah, who had brought the fool to mind.
It was well enough, for she is slender and well-shaped, whereas that shaveling grows fat from easy living and his clothes would have hung loosely on her.
All passed muster, save that she is better-looking than the shaveling, and without his swaggering conceit.
In the meantime, and that the shaveling may suspect nothing, permit him to go freely about his task of preparing the Saxon hogs for the slaughter-house.
I had thought you full of years, yet here I see but a shaveling youth.
The Sixth, recruited earlier in this year and still unblooded, was a legion of shavelings looking very forward to some real fighting.
Hereupon four other shavelings entered, dragging before the confessor a poor wretch, who came about as willingly as he would to the gallows.
Are we to wait here like shavelings while the grown men divide the spoils?
Hereupon four other shavelings entered, dragging before the confessor a poor wretch, who came about as willingly as he would to the gallows.