Gadit

sterling silver

Definitions (2)
1nounA high-quality silver alloy that is usually 92.5% pure silver mixed with a small amount of another metal, often copper, to make it stronger
The ring is made of sterling silver, so it is real silver but strong enough for daily wear.
She polished her sterling silver necklace before the wedding.
Many spoons and bracelets are made from sterling silver rather than pure silver.
2adjectiveMade from this silver alloy
He gave her a sterling silver bracelet for her birthday.
The shop sells sterling silver earrings and pendants.
She keeps her sterling silver cutlery in a lined box.
Word Origin
Language
Old English / Anglo-Norman French
Original word
steorling / esterlin
Originally meant
silver of a reliable standard or quality
Background
The word sterling was first used for a dependable standard of silver in medieval England. Over time, sterling silver became the name for the official high-grade silver alloy used in coins, jewelry, and tableware.
Tap when you've understood, and the word is marked as understood in your notebook