sting

sting / sting/ • n. 1. a small sharp-pointed organ at the end of the abdomen of bees, wasps, ants, and scorpions, capable of inflicting a painful or dangerous wound by injecting poison. ∎  any of a number of minute hairs or other organs of plants, jellyfishes, etc., that inject a poisonous or irritating fluid when touched. ∎  a wound from such an animal or plant organ: a wasp or bee sting. ∎  a sharp tingling or burning pain or sensation: I felt the sting of the cold, bitter air. ∎  [in sing.] fig. a hurtful quality or effect: she smiled to take the sting out of her words. 2. inf. a carefully planned operation, typically one involving deception: five blackmailers were jailed last week after they were snared in a police sting. • v. (past and past part. stung / stəng/ ) 1. [tr.] wound or pierce with a sting: he was stung by a jellyfish | [intr.] a nettle stings if you brush it lightly. 2. feel or cause to feel a sharp tingling or burning pain or sensation: [intr.] her eyes stung | [tr.] the brandy stung his throat | [as adj.] (stinging) a stinging pain. ∎  [tr.] fig. (typically of something said) hurt or upset (someone): stung by her mockery, Frank hung his head. ∎  (sting someone into) provoke someone to do (something) by causing annoyance or offense: he was stung into action by an article in the paper. 3. [tr.] inf. swindle or exorbitantly overcharge (someone): an elaborate fraud that stung a bank for thousands. PHRASES: sting in the tail an unexpected, typically unpleasant or problematic end to something: the Budget comes with a sting in the tail—future tax increases.DERIVATIVES: sting·ing·ly adv. sting·less adj.