2. (Biol.) (a) To deprive of the power of reproducing; to render incapable of germination or fecundation; to
make sterile. (b) To destroy all spores or germs in as by heat, so as to prevent the development of
bacterial or other organisms.
Sterlet
(Ster"let) n. [Russ. sterliade.] (Zoöl.) A small sturgeon (Acipenser ruthenus) found in the Caspian
Sea and its rivers, and highly esteemed for its flavor. The finest caviare is made from its roe.
Sterling
(Ster"ling) n. (Engin.) Same as Starling, 3.
Sterling
(Ster"ling), n. [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 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. Sterling
(Ster"ling) a.
1. Belonging to, or relating to, the standard British money of account, or the British coinage; 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. "With sterling money." 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 sense.
Stern
(Stern) n. [AS. stearn a kind of bird. See Starling.] (Zoöl.) The black tern.
Stern
(Stern), a. [Compar. Sterner ; superl. Sternest.] [OE. sterne, sturne, AS. styrne; cf. D. stuurish
stern, Sw. stursk refractory. &radic166.] Having a certain hardness or severity of nature, manner, or
aspect; hard; severe; rigid; rigorous; austere; fixed; unchanging; unrelenting; hence, serious; resolute; harsh; as,
a sternresolve; a stern necessity; a stern heart; a stern gaze; a stern decree.
The sterne wind so loud gan to rout.
Chaucer.
I would outstare the sternest eyes that look.
Shak.
When that the poor have cried, Cæsar hath wept;
Ambition should be made of sterner stuff.
Shak.
Stern as tutors, and as uncles hard.
Dryden.
These barren rocks, your stern inheritance.
Wordsworth.
