sterlet

[ stur-lit ]

noun

1. a small sturgeon, Acipenser ruthenus, of the Black and Caspian seas, valued as a source of caviar.

sterlet

/ ˈstɜːlɪt /

noun

1. a small sturgeon, Acipenser ruthenus, of seas and rivers in N Asia and E Europe: used as a food fish and a source of caviar

Word History and Origins

Origin of sterlet¹

1585–95; < Russian stérlyad', Old Russian sterlyagi (plural) < German Störling a small sturgeon, equivalent to Stör sturgeon ( Middle High German stör ( e ), stür ( e ), Old High German stur ( i ) o; sturgeon ) + -ling -ling ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of sterlet¹

C16: from Russian sterlyad, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German sturio sturgeon

Example Sentences

A favourite fish among the higher classes is the sterlet, a sort of sturgeon; soup is made of it, but it is very expensive.

From Project Gutenberg

At supper they served sterlet, chicken rissoles, and stewed fruit; the wines were expensive French wines.

From Project Gutenberg

There can be no doubt that the sturgeon or sterlet is meant by this term, for Platina calls the eggs of the fish “caviare.”

From Project Gutenberg

Does not this animal fulfil in the egg of the sterlet, the same office as the histriobdella in the egg of the lobster?

From Project Gutenberg

Polypodium hydriforme Ussow is a fresh-water form parasitic on the eggs of the sterlet.

From Project Gutenberg