easterling
1 of 2noun (1)
east·er·ling
ˈēstərliŋ -təl-,
-tᵊl-
plural -s
: a native of a country eastward of another —used especially of German merchants from Baltic cities who traded in England or competed with the English in foreign ports
easterling
2 of 2noun (2)
"
plural -s
1
or easterling penny : a medieval English silver coin
2
: the weight of an easterling : pennyweight : ¹/₂₀ ounce
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
Middle English esterling, from ester, estern eastern + -ling
Noun (2)
alteration (influenced by easterling entry 1) of sterling; from a belief that it was coined by german merchants from Baltic cities
First Known Use
Noun (1)
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Noun (2)
1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1