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.