(v. t.) Any sharp organ of offense and defense, especially when
connected with a poison gland, and adapted to inflict a wound by
piercing; as the caudal sting of a scorpion. The sting of a bee or wasp
is a modified ovipositor. The caudal sting, or spine, of a sting ray is
a modified dorsal fin ray. The term is sometimes applied to the fang of
a serpent. See Illust. of Scorpion.
(v. t.) A sharp-pointed hollow hair seated on a gland which
secrets an acrid fluid, as in nettles. The points of these hairs
usually break off in the wound, and the acrid fluid is pressed into it.
(v. t.) Anything that gives acute pain, bodily or mental; as, the
stings of remorse; the stings of reproach.
(v. t.) The thrust of a sting into the flesh; the act of
stinging; a wound inflicted by stinging.
(v. t.) A goad; incitement.
(v. t.) The point of an epigram or other sarcastic saying.
(v. t.) To pierce or wound with a sting; as, bees will sting an
animal that irritates them; the nettles stung his hands.
(v. t.) To pain acutely; as, the conscience is stung with
remorse; to bite.
(v. t.) To goad; to incite, as by taunts or reproaches.
