Sterling

Quick meaning: Sterling is a noun meaning (countable, obsolete except historical) An English silver penny first introduced by the Normans.

Meaning

(countable, obsolete except historical) An English silver penny first introduced by the Normans.

More Meanings

1. A penny issued in other countries, such as Scotland.
2. Former British gold or silver coinage of a standard fineness (0.91666 for gold and 0.925 for silver).
3. Synonym of pennyweight (“a unit of mass equal to 24 grains, or ¹⁄₂₀ of a troy ounce”)
4. Money generally.
5. The standard degree of fineness.
6. The currency of the United Kingdom, based on the pound sterling; hence, genuine English or British currency, as contrasted with foreign currency.
7. Short for sterling silver (“an alloy containing not less than 92.5 percent silver, the remainder usually being copper; articles made from this alloy collectively”).

Example Sentences

In England sterlings and nobles were struck, both of them often counterfeited.

[D]rop the ten ſhillings into this Baſon; […] So, iſt right Iacke? iſt ſterling?

By uſeful Obſervations he can tell / The ſacred Charms that in true Sterling dvvell.

[T]he Tenants are obliged by their Leaſes to pay Sterling vvhich is Lavvful Current Money of England, […]

Word Forms

• sterlings

Synonyms for sterling

Depending on context, synonyms include pennyweight, superlative, greatest.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include superlative, superior, greatest, libra, pound, books.

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