Ster"ile (?), a. [F.
stérile, L. sterilis, akin to Gr.
stereo`s stiff, solid, stei^ros barren,
stei^ra a cow that has not calved, Goth.
stairō, fem., barren. See Stare to gaze.]
1. Producing little or no crop; barren;
unfruitful; unproductive; not fertile; as, sterile land; a
sterile desert; a sterile year.
2. (Biol.) (a)
Incapable of reproduction; unfitted for reproduction of
offspring; not able to germinate or bear fruit; unfruitful; as, a
sterile flower, which bears only stamens.
(b) Free from reproductive spores or germs; as, a
sterile fluid.
3. Fig.: Barren of ideas; destitute of
sentiment; as, a sterile production or author.
Ster"ile (?), a. [F.
stérile, L. sterilis, akin to Gr.
stereo`s stiff, solid, stei^ros barren,
stei^ra a cow that has not calved, Goth.
stairō, fem., barren. See Stare to gaze.]
1. Producing little or no crop; barren;
unfruitful; unproductive; not fertile; as, sterile land; a
sterile desert; a sterile year.
2. (Biol.) (a)
Incapable of reproduction; unfitted for reproduction of
offspring; not able to germinate or bear fruit; unfruitful; as, a
sterile flower, which bears only stamens.
(b) Free from reproductive spores or germs; as, a
sterile fluid.
3. Fig.: Barren of ideas; destitute of
sentiment; as, a sterile production or author.
