Ster'ling1, a.
a. [O. Eng. sterlynge, starling, for easterling, I. Lat. esterlingus, sterlingus, from Easterling, once the popular name of German traders in England, whose money was of the purest quality. “Certain merchants of Norwaie, Denmarke, and of others those parties, called Ostomanni, or, as in our vulgar language we tearme them, 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 the inhabitants of those parts were called Easterlings, and shortly after some of that countrie, skillfull in mint matters and allaias, 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 sterlynges.”]
Sense 1. Belonging to, or relating to, the British money of account, or to 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.
Sense 2. Genuine; pure; of excellent quality; as, a work of sterling merit; a man of sterling wit or good sense.