Obs. Also 7 starre. [ad. It. † stara, staro (also staio); the med.L. forms are stara, starium, starius; perh. shortened from L. sextārius: see SESTER, SEXTAR, SEXTARY.] An Italian measure of grain, etc., corresponding to the bushel, but varying according to locality or the kind of substance measured. Also as a weight (see quot. 1622).
1540. St. Papers Hen. VIII., VIII. 235. ThEmperour hath given this State licence to draw owt of the realme of Naples abowt 80000 staris of wete.
1622. Malynes, Anc. Law-Merch., 26. Italie. They doe also weigh … by starre of 220 lb. weight.
1698. Phil. Trans., XX. 286. Ashes drawn from a Stare and a half of Bran, burnt … in the Furnace with Sulphur.
[1811. P. Kelly, Univ. Cambist, I. 312. Modena…. Corn is measured by the Staro or Staja, 4 of which are nearly equivalent to an English Quarter.]
