gosling, geslyng, goslyng, goslynge

& a. [A. S. gós a goose, and Eng. dim in. suff. -ling .] A. As substantive : 1. A young goose; a goose not yet full grown "I'll never Be such a gosling to obey instinct." Shakesp.: Coriolanus, v. 3. 2. A catkin on nut-trees and pines. 3. An unfledged bird. 4. A goose, a silly fellow, a simpleton. B. As adj .: Silly, stupid. "Surprised at all they met, the gosling pair. Discover huge cathedrals, built with stone. Cowper: Progre of Error , 379.