Change"ling, n. [Change + -ling.] 1. One who, or that which, is left or taken in the place of another, as a child exchanged by fairies.

Such, men do changelings call, so changed by fairies' theft.
Spenser.

The changeling [a substituted writing] never known.
Shak.

2. A simpleton; an idiot. Macaulay.

Changelings and fools of heaven, and thence shut out.

Wildly we roam in discontent about.
Dryden.

3. One apt to change; a waverer. "Fickle changelings." Shak.

Change"ling, a. 1. Taken or left in place of another; changed. "A little changeling boy." Shak.

2. Given to change; inconstant. [Obs.]

Some are so studiously changeling.
Boyle.

• an infant secretly exchanged with another infant
  
• in science fiction, an organism which can change shape to mimic others
  
• shape-shifter