STERLINGS
Noun
sterlings
plural of sterling
Source: Wiktionary
STERLING
Ster"ling, n. (Engin.)
Definition: Same as Starling, 3.
Ster"ling, n. Etym: [OE. sterlynge, starling, for easterling, LL.
esterlingus, probably from Easterling, once the popular name of
German trades in England, whose money was of the purest quality: cf.
MHG. sterlink a certain coin. Cf. East. "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 inhabitants of those parts were
called Easterlings, and shortly after some of that countrie, skillful
in mint matters and allaies, 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
sterlings." R. of Gloucester.]
1. Any English coin of standard value; coined money.
So that ye offer nobles or sterlings. Chaucer.
And Roman wealth in English sterling view. Arbuthnot.
2. A certain standard of quality or value for money.
Sterling was the known and approved standard in England, in all
probability, from the beginning of King Henry the Second's reign. S.
M. Leake.
Ster"ling, a.
1. Belonging to, or relating to, the standard British money of
account, or 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.
2. Genuine; pure; of excellent quality; conforming to the highest
standard; of full value; as, a work of sterling merit; a man of
sterling good sense.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition