This is the 8876th most frequent Catalan word.
estèril
In English, "estèril" means "sterile" or "barren."
In this context, 'estèril' pertains to the cleanliness and lack of microorganisms in the lab environment.
Els científics van estudiar les condicions estèrils del laboratori.
The scientists studied the sterile conditions of the laboratory.
In this sentence, 'estèril' refers to the soil's barrenness, a literal description of lack of fertility.
El terreny era estèril i no produïa cap fruit.
The soil was barren and did not produce any fruit.
Here, 'estèril' is used metaphorically to describe arguments lacking effectiveness or productivity.