moonling means A simpleton; a lunatic.
Etymology
From moon + -ling. Compare moon-related origins of lunacy and lunatic.
noun
- A simpleton; a lunatic.“I have a husband, and a two-legg'd one, But such a moonling, as no wit of man, Or roses can redeem from being an ass.”
- One who is lovesick; one who moons over a beloved.“The sky was not quite as blue as her—Thunderation, he was no moonling!”
- A changeling.“"I see. He's a black man. But Jacob Millhaven is not black. Eldridge was left on his doorstep as a baby, and the philosopher adopted him." "Oh! Then he's a moonling! He doesn't seem to suffer from any stigma."”
- Someone from the Moon.“A shy moonling hangs on the suit of an astronaut and is taken back to earth.”