1426, "barren" (implied in sterility), from M.Fr. stérile "not producing fruit," from L. sterilis "barren, unproductive," from PIE *ster- "sterile, barren" originally "stiff, rigid" (cf. Gk. steresthai "be deprived of," steira "sterile," stereos "firm, solid, stiff, hard;" Skt. starih "a barren cow;" O.C.S. sterica "a barren cow;" Goth. stairo "barren;" O.N. stirtla "a barren cow"). See torpor. Originally in Eng. with ref. to soil; of females, from 1535. The sense of "sterilized" is first recorded 1877. Sterilize "destroy the fertility of" is from 1695 (in ref. to soil); of living things from 1828. Meaning "render free of microorganisms" is from 1878. Sterilization is from 1874.
incapable of reproducing; "an infertile couple" [ant: fertile]
2.
free of or using methods to keep free of pathological microorganisms; "a sterile operating area"; "aseptic surgical instruments"; "aseptic surgical techniques" [syn: aseptic]
3.
deficient in originality or creativity; lacking powers of invention; "a sterile ideology lacking in originality"; "unimaginative development of a musical theme"; "uninspired writing"
Main Entry: ster·ile Pronunciation: 'ster-&l, chiefly Brit -"Il Function: adjective 1: failing to produce or incapable of
producing offspring <a sterile hybrid> —compare INFERTILE 2: free from living
organisms and especially microorganisms <a sterile cyst> —ster·ile·ly/-&l-(l)E/adverb
—ste·ril·i·ty/st&-'ril-&t-E/nounplural-ties
Stare\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. stared; p. pr. & vb. n. staring.] [AS. starian; akin to LG. & D. staren, OHG. star[=e]n, G. starren, Icel. stara; cf. Icel. stira, Dan. stirre, Sw. stirra, and G. starr stiff, rigid, fixed, Gr. ? solid (E. stereo-), Skr. sthira firm, strong. [root]166. Cf. Sterile.]1. To look with fixed eyes wide open, as through fear, wonder, surprise, impudence, etc.; to fasten an earnest and prolonged gaze on some object. For ever upon the ground I see thee stare. --Chaucer. Look not big, nor stamp, nor stare, nor fret. --Shak. 2. To be very conspicuous on account of size, prominence, color, or brilliancy; as, staring windows or colors. 3. To stand out; to project; to bristle. [Obs.] Makest my blood cold, and my hair to stare. --Shak. Take off all the staring straws and jags in the hive. --Mortimer. Syn: To gaze; to look earnestly. See Gaze.