n.
Pronunciation: ' sti ŋ
Function: verb
Inflected Form: stung \ ' st ə ŋ \ ; sting · ing \ ' sti ŋ -i ŋ \
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 , CHEAT
intransitive 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 \ -i ŋ -l ē \ adverb