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 verb1: 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 verb1: to wound one with or as if with a sting2: to feel a keen burning pain or smart ; also : to cause such pain

— sting·ing·ly \-iŋ-lē\ adverb