adj.
Pronunciation: ' ster- ə l, chiefly Brit - ˌ ī (- ə )l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English steryle, from Latin sterilis; akin to Gothic stairo barren animal, Sanskrit star ī sterile cow
Date: 15th century
1 a : failing to bear or incapable of producing fruit or spores b : failing to produce or incapable of producing offspring <a sterile hybrid> c : incapable of germinating < sterile spores> d of a flower : neither perfect nor pistillate
2 a : unproductive of vegetation <a sterile arid region> b : free from living organisms and especially microorganisms <a sterile syringe> c : lacking in stimulating emotional or intellectual quality : LIFELESS <a sterile work of art>
– ster · ile · ly \ - ə (l)-l ē \ adverb
– ste · ril · i · ty \ st ə - ' ri-l ə -t ē \ noun