[ster.ile] adj [ME steryle, fr. L sterilis; akin to Goth stairo barren animal, Skt stari sterile cow] (15c) 1 a: failing to bear or incapable of producing fruit or spores b: failing to produce or incapable of producing offspring "a ~ hybrid" c: incapable of germinating "~ spores" d of a flower: neither perfect nor pistillate
2. a: unproductive of vegetation "a ~ arid region" b: free from living organisms and esp. microorganisms c: lacking in stimulating emotional or intellectual quality: lifeless "a ~ work of art" -- ster.ile.ly adv -- ste.ril.i.ty n