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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. |
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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. |
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Anything that gives acute pain, bodily or mental; as, the
stings of remorse; the stings of reproach. |
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The thrust of a sting into the flesh; the act of
stinging; a wound inflicted by stinging. |
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A goad; incitement. |
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The point of an epigram or other sarcastic saying. |
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To pierce or wound with a sting; as, bees will sting an
animal that irritates them; the nettles stung his hands. |
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To pain acutely; as, the conscience is stung with
remorse; to bite. |
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To goad; to incite, as by taunts or reproaches. |