sterlet

American  

[stur-lit] / ˈstɜr lɪt /

noun

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

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sterlet British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of sterlet

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; cf. sturgeon) + -ling -ling ¹

Example Sentences

In Europe, there are four remaining sturgeon species, including Beluga, Russian, stellate, and sterlet, that are capable of producing caviar.

From Science Daily • Nov. 20, 2023

Fortunately, the catch of sterlet at this stand had been good.

From Russian Rambles by Hapgood, Isabel Florence

Nevertheless I’ll give thee my beloved sturgeon; sit upon him and go thy way, and my swift runner the long-nosed sterlet shall swim before thee to show the way.”

From Russian Fairy Tales From the Skazki of Polevoi by Bain, R. Nisbet (Robert Nisbet)

Anything more delicious it would be difficult to imagine; and we began to revise our opinion of the sterlet.

From Russian Rambles by Hapgood, Isabel Florence

There cannot be a grand dinner in Russia without sterlet.

From The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction Volume 20, No. 558, July 21, 1832 by Various