Search results for 'sting':

sting noun 1 a defensive puncturing organ that is found in certain animals and plants, which can inject poison or venom, eg the spine of a sting-ray, the hairs of a stinging nettle, etc. 2 the injection of poison from an animal or plant. 3 a painful wound resulting from the sting of an animal or plant. 4 any sharp tingling pain. 5 anything that is hurtful, eg a vicious insult • felt the sting of her wicked words. 6 slang a trick, swindle or robbery. verb (stung, stinging) 1 to pierce, poison or wound with a sting. 2 intrans to produce a sharp tingling pain. 3 slang to cheat, swindle or rob; to cheat by overcharging • stung him for 50 quid. stinged adj. stinger noun. stinging adj. stingingly adverb. stingless adj. a sting in the tail an unexpected turn of events, irony, unpleasantness, etc. sting someone into something to goad or incite them into it. take the sting out of something colloq to soften the pain of it.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon stingan to pierce.