Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Starling
Star′ling
(-lĭng)
, Noun.
[OE.
sterlyng
, a dim. of OE. stare
, AS. staer
; akin to AS. stearn
, G. star
, staar
, OHG. stara
, Icel. starri
, stari
, Sw. stare
, Dan. staer
, L. sturnus
. Cf. Stare
a starling.] 1.
(Zool.)
Any passerine bird belonging to
Sturnus
and allied genera. The European starling (Sturnus vulgaris
) is dark brown or greenish black, with a metallic gloss, and spotted with yellowish white. It is a sociable bird, and builds about houses, old towers, etc. Called also stare
, and starred
. The pied starling of India is Sternopastor contra
. 2.
(Zool.)
A California fish; the rock trout.
3.
A structure of piles driven round the piers of a bridge for protection and support; – called also
sterling
. Webster 1828 Edition
Starling
STARLING
,Noun.
1.
A bird, the stare, of the genus Sturnus.2.
A defense to the piers of bridges.