# Starr

/ˈstɑɹ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/starr
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. historical debt receipt

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Technical

a historical document or receipt given when a debt was paid.

For teachers: A formal receipt or legal contract issued by Jewish lenders in medieval England upon the payment of a debt. The term is primarily used in legal and historical contexts regarding the Exchequer of the Jews.

- The historian studied an ancient starr to understand how people paid back loans in the past.
- The preservation of the medieval starr provided researchers with invaluable data regarding the financial interactions between the crown and the Jewish community.

Usage: Usually appears in historical texts or legal histories of the medieval period.

Teaching tip: This is an extremely rare word that students will only encounter in specialized historical or legal studies of medieval England.

## Examples

- The historian studied an ancient starr to understand medieval debt laws.
- Legal scholars often examine a starr from the thirteenth century to trace the evolution of property rights and Jewish history in Britain.
- The preservation of a medieval starr provides invaluable insight into the complex financial interactions and legal status of the Jewish community prior to their expulsion from England in 1290.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.