I. ˈstärliŋ, -tȧl-, -lēŋ noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English starling, sterling, from Old English stærlinc, from stær starling + -linc, -ling -ling; akin to Old English stearn, a bird, probably tern, Old High German stara starling, Old Norse stari, Latin sturnus starling, Old Prussian starnite gull
1.
a. : a bird of the family Sturnidae ; especially : a dark brown or in summer plumage greenish black bird ( Sturnus vulgaris ) that has a metallic gloss, is spotted with yellowish white, lives sociably and builds nests around dwellings and structures, and is native to Europe but has been introduced in the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand where it is often a pest — see rose-colored starling
b. : an American bird of the family Icteridae
2. : beaver 6
II.
obsolete
variant of sterling
III. ˈstärliŋ noun
( -s )
Etymology: probably alteration of (assumed) obsolete English staddling, from Middle English stadelinge, from (assumed) Middle English stadel foundation, support (alteration of Middle English stathel ) + Middle English -inge, -ing -ing — more at staddle
: a projecting pointed or rounded structure of piles driven close together around a pier of a bridge and often filled with gravel or stone to protect the pier by breaking water, ice, or drift