From Middle Englishelning, elnung, from Old Englishellnung, elnung(“encouragement, comfort, consolation, emulation, hot emulation, zeal, envy”), from elnian(“to emulate, endeavor to be equal, be zealous, strive with zeal after another, make strong, strengthen, comfort oneself, gain strength”) (compare Old Englishellen(“zeal, strength, power, vigor, valor, courage, fortitude, strife, contention”)), equivalent to elne +-ing. Cognate with Scotseldning(“jealousy”).