English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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Display showing a pile of sterlings balanced against a pound weight

The basic unit of currency in medieval England was the silver penny or sterling, weighing 1240 of a tower pound. 240 of these coins made a "pound of sterlings". This term (shortened to "pound sterling" in later usage) continued to be used for a sum of 240 pence even after the sterling had ceased to circulate. The modern pound sterling is equivalent to 100 new pence.

Pronunciation

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  • (UK) IPA(key): /paʊnd ˈstɜː(ɹ).lɪŋ/
  • Audio (US):(file)

Noun

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pound sterling (plural pounds sterling)

  1. The currency of the United Kingdom.
    • 1668 July 3rd, James Dalrymple, “Thomas Rue contra Andrew Houſtoun” in The Deciſions of the Lords of Council & Seſſion I (Edinburgh, 1683), page 547
      Andrew Houſtoun and Adam Muſhet, being Tackſmen of the Excize, did Imploy Thomas Rue to be their Collector, and gave him a Sallary of 30. pound Sterling for a year.

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Further reading

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