■ noun
1》 a small sharp-pointed organ of an insect, plant, etc. capable of inflicting a painful wound by injecting poison.
2》 a wound from such an organ.
3》 a sharp tingling sensation or hurtful effect.
4》 informal a carefully planned undercover operation.
■ verb ( past and past participle stung )
1》 wound with a ~.
2》 produce a ~ing sensation.
↘hurt; upset.
↘( ~ someone into ) goad someone into.
3》 informal swindle or exorbitantly overcharge.
Phrases
~ in the tail an unexpected and unpleasant end to something.
Derivatives
~er noun
~ing adjective
~ingly adverb
~less adjective
Origin
OE ~ (n.), ~an (v.), of Gmc origin.