n.
    - a small sharp-pointed organ of an insect, plant, etc. capable of inflicting a painful wound by injecting poison.
 - a wound from such an organ.
 - a sharp tingling sensation or hurtful effect.
 - informal a carefully planned undercover operation.
 
v.
 (past and past part. stung)
   - wound with a sting.
 - produce a stinging sensation. 
▸hurt; upset.
 ▸
(sting someone into)
 goad someone into.
 - informal swindle or exorbitantly overcharge.
 
 
  Phrase
  
    
      - sting in the tail
 an unexpected and unpleasant end to something. 
    
   
  Derivative
  
    - stinger n.
  - stinging adj.
  - stingingly adv.
  - stingless adj.
 
   
  Etymology
  OE sting (n.), stingan (v.), of Gmc origin.