Sterling

/ˈstɜːlɪŋ/ · noun

Meaning

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

Definitions by Sense

1. (countable, obsolete except historical) An English silver penny first introduced by the Normans.
2. A penny issued in other countries, such as Scotland.
3. The currency of the United Kingdom, based on the pound sterling; hence, genuine English or British currency, as contrasted with foreign currency.
4. 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”).
5. Former British gold or silver coinage of a standard fineness (0.91666 for gold and 0.925 for silver).
6. Synonym of pennyweight (“a unit of mass equal to 24 grains, or ¹⁄₂₀ of a troy ounce”)
7. Money generally.
8. The standard degree of fineness.

Example Sentences

Nummus […] is taken for braſſe pens, or els pieces of ſiluer of the valu of a dandiprat or i. d. ob. a pece or there about, ſo that yͤ thouſand peces wer moche about the ſomme of twentie nobles sterlynges [i.e., nobles of sterlings].

"I do not fear your curses," said Philippe [Philip II of France]. "You have no right to pronounce them on the realm of France. Your words smell of English sterlings."

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

Ophe[lia]. He hath my Lord of late made many tenders / Of his affection to me. / […] / Pol[onius]. Marry I vvill teach you, thinke your ſelfe a babie / That you haue tane [taken] theſe tenders for true pay / VVhich are not ſterling, tender your ſelfe more dearely […]

[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, […]

[A]mong the objects stolen was the famous parure of Black Diamonds, for which a bid of half a million sterling had just been made and accepted.

Synonyms for sterling

Antonyms for sterling

Related Words

Word Forms

• sterlings
• more sterling
• most sterling

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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