Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Sterling
Ster′ling
,Noun.
[OE.
sterlynge
, starling
, for easterling
, LL. esterlingus
, probably from Easterling
, once the popular name of German trades in England, whose money was of the purest quality: cf. MHG. sterlink
a certain coin. Cf. East
. “Certain merchants of Norwaie, Denmarke, and of others those parties, called Ostomanni, or (as in our vulgar language we tearme them), easterlings
, because they lie east
in respect of us.” Holinshed.
“In the time of . . . King Richard the First, monie coined in the east parts of Germanie began to be of especiall request in England for the puritie thereof, and was called Easterling
monie, as all inhabitants of those parts were called Easterlings
, and shortly after some of that countrie, skillful in mint matters and allaies, were sent for into this realme to bring the coine to perfection; which since that time was called of them sterling
, for Easterling
.” Camden.
“Four thousand pound of sterlings
.” R. of Gloucester.
] 1.
Any English coin of standard value; coined money.
So that ye offer nobles or
sterlings
. Chaucer.
And Roman wealth in English
sterling
view. Arbuthnot.
2.
A certain standard of quality or value for money.
Sterling
was the known and approved standard in England, in all probability, from the beginning of King Henry the Second’s reign. S. M. Leake.
Ster′ling
,Adj.
1.
Belonging to, or relating to, the standard British money of account, or the British coinage;
“With sterling money.” as, a pound
sterling
; a shilling sterling
; a penny sterling
; – now chiefly applied to the lawful money of England; but sterling
cost, sterling
value, are used. Shak.
2.
Genuine; pure; of excellent quality; conforming to the highest standard; of full value;
as, a work of
. sterling
merit; a man of sterling
good senseWebster 1828 Edition
Sterling
STERLING
,Adj.
1.
An epithet by which English money of account is distinguished; as a pound sterling; a shilling sterling; a penny sterling. It is not now applied to the coins of England; but sterling cost, sterling value are used.2.
Genuine; pure; of excellent quality; as a work of sterling merit; a man of sterling wit or good sense.STERLING
,Noun.
1.
English money.And Roman wealth in English sterling view.
In this use, sterling may signify English coins.
2.
Standard; rate. [Little used in either sense.]