stings

Noun

sting (plural stings)

1. A bump left on the skin after having been stung.
   • Look at this nasty hornet sting: it's turned blue!
2. A puncture made by an insect or arachnid in an attack, usually including the injection of venom.
   • She died from a bee sting.
3. A pointed portion of an insect or arachnid used for attack.

   Synonyms:

   stinger

4. A sharp, localized pain primarily on the epidermis.
   • That plant will give a little sting if you touch it.

   Synonyms:

   burn

5. A sharp-pointed hollow hair seated on a gland which secretes an acrid fluid, as in nettles.
6. The thrust of a sting into the flesh; the act of stinging; a wound inflicted by stinging.
   • the lurking serpent's mortal stingc. 1591–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Third Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard...

See all 18 meanings of sting