sterling
noun
[ ˈstəːlɪŋ ]
• British money.
• "prices in sterling are shown"
• short for sterling silver.
• "a sterling spoon"
sterling
adjective
• (of a person or their work or qualities) excellent or valuable.
• "this organization does sterling work for youngsters"
Similar:
excellent,
first-rate,
first-class,
exceptional,
outstanding,
splendid,
superlative,
of the first order,
of the highest order,
of the first water,
magnificent,
wonderful,
fine,
great,
praiseworthy,
laudable,
admirable,
A1,
stellar,
top-notch,
Origin:
Middle English: probably from steorra ‘star’ + -ling (because some early Norman pennies bore a small star). Until recently one popular theory was that the coin was originally made by Easterling moneyers (from the ‘eastern’ Hanse towns), but the stressed first syllable would not have been dropped.
