sterlingus

Forms

sterlingus m; second declension^[1][2] Medieval spellings include esterlingus, stellingus, sterlinus, starlingus and sterilensis.^[2][1]

Etymology

It is from Middle English sterling, the vernacular name of the English silver penny, as the DMLBS gives it.^[3] Niermeyer calls it an Anglo-Saxon word and, after Grierson, explains it as a coin of unchanging weight.^[2]

Its further origin is disputed.^[4] The OED's view, reported by Etymonline, takes it from Middle English sterre (“star”), for the stars on some Norman coins, with the diminutive suffix -ling;^[4][1] Kluge derived it from Old French estedre (“stater”), and Köbler likewise traces it ultimately to Ancient Greek στατήρ (statḗr, “stater”).^[4][1] The old derivation from “Easterling” has long been given up.^[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first record is a charter of about 1078,^[1] where it names the English silver penny.^[1][2]

Semantic evolution

Niermeyer defines it as the silver denier of England and Scotland.^[2] In British documents it is the silver penny as a coin or a value, in England, Scotland and other regions;^[3] sterlingus grossus was a silver coin worth four pence, the groat.^[3] The genitive plural sterlingorum specified a currency of reckoning or payment, as in pounds, marks or shillings of sterlings, the word served as a unit of weight, and it was used in apposition or as an adjective, “sterling”.^[3]

Timeline

• c. 1078 – A charter has the word for the English penny.^[1]
• 1081 – A royal charter quoted by Orderic Vitalis grants sixty shillings of sterlings (in the form sterilensis).^[3]
• 1184 – An ordinance sets one sterling to be paid in England for two pence of Angevin money.^[3]
• c. 1300 – English sterling is first recorded for the silver penny.^[4]

Meanings

Noun

1. (Medieval Latin) A sterling, the English or Scottish silver penny.^[2][3]
2. (Medieval Latin) sterlingus grossus: a silver coin worth four pence, a groat.^[3]
3. (Medieval Latin, in the genitive plural) Sterling, as a currency of reckoning or payment.^[3]
4. (Medieval Latin) A unit of weight.^[3]

Related words

• English sterling

References

1. ^ a b c d e f g Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
2. ^ a b c d e f Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
4. ^ a b c d e Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com