sting

sting [stiŋ]

vt.

stung, stinging [ME stingen < OE stingan, akin to ON stinga < IE base * stegh-, to pierce, sharp > STAG]

1. to prick or wound with a sting: said of plants and insects

2. to cause sharp, sudden, smarting pain to, by or as by pricking with a sharp point [the cold wind stinging their cheeks]

3. to cause to suffer mentally; make unhappy [to be stung by one's conscience]

4. to stir up or stimulate suddenly and sharply [stung into action by her words]

5. Slang to cheat; esp., to overcharge

vi.

1. to use a sting; prick or wound with a sting

2. to cause or feel sharp, smarting pain, either physical or mental [his arm stinging from the blow]

n.

[OE sting]

1. the act of stinging

2. a pain or wound resulting from or as from stinging

3. a thing that urges or stimulates; goad

4. the ability or power to sting or wound [criticism with much sting in it]

5. a sharp-pointed organ in insects and certain other animals, used to prick, wound, or inject poison

6. any of the hollow, stinging hairs on some plants, as nettles

7. Slang an instance or method of cheating or swindling, as in a confidence game; esp., such an instance or method engaged in by law-enforcement agents to entrap criminals

stingless

adj.