starling 1
/stahr"ling/ , n.
1. a chunky, medium-sized European passerine bird, Sturnus vulgaris, of iridescent black plumage with seasonal speckles, that nests in colonies: introduced into North America.
2. any of various similar Old World birds of the family Sturnidae.
[ bef. 1050; ME; OE staerling, equiv. to staer starling (c. OHG stara, ON stari ) + -ling -LING 1 ; akin to OE stearn kind of bird, L sturnus starling ]
starling 2
/stahr"ling/ , n.
a pointed cluster of pilings for protecting a bridge pier from drifting ice, debris, etc.
[ 1675-85; orig. uncert. ]