Sterred

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Mixed or agitated a liquid or other substance by moving a spoon or similar tool around in it
2. Moved around a substance in a circular motion so that its parts were blended together
3. Blended or churned something such as a drink or batter by repeatedly swirling an implement through it

Etymology: Before it meant "decorated with stars," this spelling was simply a way of writing the Middle English adjective "starred," and the word's roots run back to Old English "steorra," meaning "star." The form is a plain formation: the noun plus the suffix "-ed," which turns a noun into an adjective meaning "having" that thing. Medieval writers used the adjective for a night sky thick with points of light, for a banner or robe sewn with star shapes, and for anything spangled with bright specks. Spelling was not fixed in this period, so the "-er-" form appears in some manuscripts and early texts as a variant. It is best understood as an older or regional spelling of the same word rather than a separate term. Its exact frequency and dating in individual texts are uncertain, so readers working from a specific source should check the usage there.