I. ˈstərliŋ, ˈstə̄l-, ˈstəil-, -lēŋ noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, probably from (assumed) Old English steorling, from Old English steorra star + -ling; probably from the star engraved on some of the early pennies — more at star
1.
a. : the silver penny of medieval England
b. : the legal currency of England and from 1707 of Great Britain
c. : British money : British foreign exchange
2. : sterling silver or articles made of it
a set of sterling
— compare plate 2, 3a
3. : an Australian colonist born in England
II. adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from sterling (I)
1.
a. : of, relating to, or calculated in terms of British sterling
sterling prices
b. : payable or involving payment in sterling
a sterling bill
sterling exchange
2.
a. of silver : having a fixed standard of purity from admixture or alloy that is usually defined legally as represented by an alloy of 925 parts of silver with 75 parts of copper
b. : made of sterling silver
3. : of full value or first quality : conforming to the highest standard : genuine
sterling merit
a sterling character
• ster·ling·ly adverb
• ster·ling·ness noun -es