different between satisfactory vs sterling

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French satisfactoire, from Late Latin satisfact?rius, from Latin satisfactus, past participle of satisfaci?.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /sæt?s?fækt(?)?i/
• Rhymes: -ækt??i

Adjective

satisfactory (comparative more satisfactory, superlative most satisfactory)

1. Done to satisfaction; adequate or sufficient.

   The satisfactory results of the survey led to his promotion.
2. Causing satisfaction; agreeable or pleasant; satisfying.
3. (theology) Making atonement for a sin; expiatory.

Usage notes

Although structurally similar (both being derived from satisfy and describing that which produces satisfaction), satisfactory (def. 1) and satisfying differ in connotation. Satisfactory connotes "adequate, conforming to standards," while satisfying connotes "pleasing, or sufficient to remove any feeling of lack." An answer to a question or the outcome of a situation, for example, could be satisfactory without being satisfying, if it met the requirements but left one wanting more.

Derived terms

• satisfactorily (adv)
• unsatisfactory (adj)

Related terms

• satisfaction (n)
• satisfied (adj)

Translations

English

Etymology

From Middle English sterling, sterlinge, sterlynge, starling, of uncertain origin. Possibly from sterling (“starling”) (the bird), which at one time was engraved on one quarter of the coin; or perhaps from Middle English sterre (“star”) + -ling (as in shilling), as some Norman coins presumably featured stars on them.

For the UK currency gloss, the term is a contraction of esterling, referring to eastern merchants from Baltic towns who established a bullion weight standard for transactions.(Taylor and Palmer, 1968)

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?st??(?).l??/
• Rhymes: -??(r)l??

Noun

sterling (countable and uncountable, plural sterlings)

1. The currency of the United Kingdom; especially the pound.
2. Former British gold or silver coinage of a standard fineness: for gold 0.91666 and for silver 0.925.
   • S. M. Leake

     Sterling was the known and approved standard in England, in all probability, from the beginning of King Henry the Second's reign.

3. Sterling silver, or articles made from this material.
4. A structure of pilings that protects the piers of a bridge; a starling.

Translations

Adjective

sterling (comparative more sterling, superlative most sterling)

1. (not comparable) of, or relating to British currency, or the former British coinage.
2. (not comparable) of, relating to, or made from sterling silver.
3. Of acknowledged worth or influence; high quality; authoritative.
4. Genuine; true; pure; of great value or excellence.
   • 2016 January 31, "Is Huma Abedin Hillary Clinton’s Secret Weapon or Her Next Big Problem?," Vanity Fair (retrieved 21 January 2016):

     But Rodríguez says, “Neither the law nor the facts support Senator Grassley’s baseless allegations and extrapolated conclusions. It is disappointing that the senator and his staff continue to focus a politically motivated campaign on Ms. Abedin, who has been known her entire professional life for hard work, integrity, and her sterling reputation. It is people like Ms. Abedin whom we should all want in public service.”

Translations

References

• Taylor, Isaac; Palmer, Abram Smythe (1968). Words and places; or, Etymological illustrations of history, ethnology, and geography. University of Michigan. Detroit, Gale Research Co.

Anagrams

• Giltners, Tinglers, glistren, ringlets, tinglers, tringles