darling

Etymology

From Middle English derelyng, from Old English dīerling (“darling, favorite, minion; also household god”), corresponding to dear + -ling.

noun

1. A person who is dear to one.
   Mary, the youngest daughter, was always her mother's darling.
   But Richmond, his grandfather's darling, after one thoughtful glance cast under his lashes at that uncompromising countenance appeared to lose himself in his own reflections. 1959, Georgette Heyer, chapter 1, in The Unknown Ajax
2. A kind or sweet person; sweetheart.
   The girl next door picks up all my shopping for me. She is such a darling.
3. An affectionate term of address.
   Pass the wine, would you, darling?
   Oh! Darling, please believe me / I'll never do you no harm 1969, Paul McCartney (lyrics and music), “Oh! Darling”, in Abbey Road, performed by The Beatles
   Oh, I could drink a case of you, darling / Still I'd be on my feet 1972, Joni Mitchell (lyrics and music), “A Case of You”, in Blue
4. (by extension) A person or thing, typically a woman, who is very popular with a certain group.
   a media darling
   a darling of the theatre
   One of the darlings of the early vegetarian movement (particularly in its even sadder form, the cutlet), it was on the menu at John Harvey Kellogg's Battle Creek Sanitarium, and has since become the default Sunday option for vegetarians – and a default source of derision for everyone else. December 15, 2011, Felicity Cloake, “How to cook the perfect nut roast”, in Guardian

adj

1. Dear; cherished.
   She is my darling wife of twenty-two years.
2. charming
   Well isn't that a darling little outfit she has on.