sterling: [13] Sterling ‘British money’ originated as a term for an English silver penny from the 13th to the 15th centuries. The first ones struck had the design of a small star on them – hence the name sterling (and its now defunct variant starling), literally ‘little star’. Two hundred and forty of such coins formed a unit of weight, known as a pound of sterlings. The earliest use of sterling as a general term for ‘English currency’ dates from the mid 16th century. => star
sterling (n.)
c. 1300, "silver penny," probably from Middle English sterre (see star (n.)), according to OED "presumably" from the stars that appeared in the design of certain Norman coins, + diminutive suffix -ling. But starred coins were not especially common among Anglo-Saxon currency, and the stars on them tended to be small. The other theory [Kluge] is that it derives from Old French estedre "stater" (see stater). Sense broadened by 1560s to "money having the quality of the sterling," and c. 1600 to "English money in general." As an adjective from early 15c. From 1640s in general sense of "capable of standing a test" (as a sound coin would). A pound sterling was originally "a pound weight of sterlings," equal to about 240 of them.
中文解释
1. star => sterling.2. Sterling 'British money' originated as a term for an English silver penny from the 13th to the 15th centuries. 3. The first ones struck had the design of a small star on them – hence the name sterling (and its now defunct variant starling), literally 'little star'.
实用例句
1. He said the over-valuation of sterling was throttling industry.
他认为英镑价值过高阻碍了工业发展。
来自柯林斯例句
2. The Chancellor is boxed in by inflation targets and sterling.
财政大臣被通货膨胀目标和英镑逼得束手无策。
来自柯林斯例句
3. The stamps had to be paid for in sterling.
这些邮票必须用英镑购买。
来自柯林斯例句
4. Those are sterling qualities to be admired in anyone.
那些是在任何人身上都值得敬佩的优秀品质。
来自柯林斯例句
5. Travel agents charge 1 per cent commission on sterling cheques.