adjective
sterling
STUR-ling/stˈɝlɪŋ/
Silver of a recognized 92.5 percent purity.
The spoon bears a 925 hallmark identifying it as sterling silver.
Etymology
The earlier coin name led to a description of money meeting a fixed standard of purity. Applied to character or qualities, sterling then meant capable of standing a test—hence genuine excellence.
In context
"You served me well, Olinto," I replied, "and when I discover real sterling honesty I endeavor to appreciate it. There is, alas! very little of it in this world."
More examples
- She wears sterling silver earrings to work.
- The jeweler checks whether the spoons are sterling.
- We polish the sterling silver forks before each holiday dinner.
Forms
sterling
Similar words
- silver
- Describes silver material without specifying a particular purity standard.