STING

I. verb (stung; ~ing) Etymology: Middle English, from Old English ~an; akin to Old Norse ~a to ~ and probably to Greek stachys spike of grain, stochos target, aim Date: before 12th century transitive verb to prick painfully: as, to pierce or wound with a poisonous or irritating process, to affect with sharp quick pain or smart , to cause to suffer acutely , overcharge , cheat , intransitive verb to wound one with or as if with a ~, to feel a keen burning pain or smart, ~ingly adverb II. noun Date: before 12th century 1. the act of ~ing, a wound or pain caused by or as if by ~ing, ~er 2, a sharp or ~ing element, force, or quality, an elaborate confidence game