Main Entry:

ster·ile

Pronunciation:

\ˈster-əl, chiefly British -ˌī(-ə)l\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Middle English steryle, from Latin sterilis; akin to Gothic stairo barren animal, Sanskrit starī sterile cow

Date:

15th century

1 a: failing to bear or incapable of producing fruit or spores b: failing to produce or incapable of producing offspring <a sterile hybrid> c: incapable of germinating <sterile spores> dof a flower : neither perfect nor pistillate2 a: unproductive of vegetation <a sterile arid region> b: free from living organisms and especially microorganisms <a sterile syringe> c: lacking in stimulating emotional or intellectual quality : lifeless <a sterile work of art>

— ster·ile·ly \-ə(l)-lē\ adverb

— ste·ril·i·ty \stə-ˈri-lə-tē\ noun