sting \sting\, n. as. sting a sting. see sting, v. t.
   1. zool. any sharp organ of offense and defense, especially
      when connected with a poison gland, and adapted to inflict
      a wound by piercing; as the caudal sting of a scorpion.
      the sting of a bee or wasp is a modified ovipositor. the
      caudal sting, or spine, of a sting ray is a modified
      dorsal fin ray. the term is sometimes applied to the fang
      of a serpent. see illust. of scorpion.
      1913 webster

   2. bot. a sharp-pointed hollow hair seated on a gland which
      secrets an acrid fluid, as in nettles. the points of these
      hairs usually break off in the wound, and the acrid fluid
      is pressed into it.
      1913 webster

   3. anything that gives acute pain, bodily or mental; as, the
      stings of remorse; the stings of reproach.
      1913 webster

            the sting of death is sin.            --1 cor. xv.
                                                  56.
      1913 webster

   4. the thrust of a sting into the flesh; the act of stinging;
      a wound inflicted by stinging. "the lurking serpent's
      mortal sting." --shak.
      1913 webster

   5. a goad; incitement. --shak.
      1913 webster

   6. the point of an epigram or other sarcastic saying.
      1913 webster

   sting moth zool., an australian moth doratifera
      vulnerans whose larva is armed, at each end of the body,
      with four tubercles bearing powerful stinging organs.

   sting ray. zool. see under 6th ray.

   sting winkle zool., a spinose marine univalve shell of
      the genus murex, as the european species murex
      erinaceus. see illust. of murex.
      1913 webster
see also:
sting scorpion sting moth doratifera vulnerans sting ray ray 
sting winkle murex erinaceus murex