Main Entry: ¹sting

Pronunciation: \ˈstiŋ\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): stung \ˈstəŋ\; sting·ing \ˈstiŋ-iŋ\

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English stingan; akin to Old Norse stinga to sting and probably to Greek stachys spike of grain, stochos target, aim

Date: before 12th century

transitive verb 1 : to prick painfully: as a : to pierce or wound with a poisonous or irritating process b : to affect with sharp quick pain or smart <hail stung their faces>
2 : to cause to suffer acutely <stung with remorse>
3 : overcharge, cheatintransitive verb 1 : to wound one with or as if with a sting
2 : to feel a keen burning pain or smart; also : to cause such pain

— sting·ing·ly \-iŋ-lē\ adverb