| 释义 |
ster·ling
I. \ˈstərliŋ, ˈstə̄l-, ˈstəil-, -lēŋ\ noun
(-s)
Etymology: Middle English, probably from (assumed) Old English steorling, from Old English steorra star + -ling; probably from the star engraved on some of the early pennies — more at star
1.
a. : the silver penny of medieval England
b. : the legal currency of England and from 1707 of Great Britain
c. : British money : British foreign exchange
2. : sterling silver or articles made of it
< a set of sterling >
— compare plate 2, 3a
3. : an Australian colonist born in England
II. adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from sterling (I)
1.
a. : of, relating to, or calculated in terms of British sterling
< sterling prices >
b. : payable or involving payment in sterling
< a sterling bill >
< sterling exchange >
2.
a. of silver : having a fixed standard of purity from admixture or alloy that is usually defined legally as represented by an alloy of 925 parts of silver with 75 parts of copper
b. : made of sterling silver
3. : of full value or first quality : conforming to the highest standard : genuine
< sterling merit >
< a sterling character >
• ster·ling·ly adverb
• ster·ling·ness noun -es |