King James Bible Dictionary

STING, verb transitive preterit tense and participle passive stung. Stang is obsolete. [G., to stick, to sting We see that sting is stick altered in orthography and pronunciation.]

1. To pierce with the sharp pointed instrument with which certain animals are furnished, such as bees, wasps, scorpions and the like. Bees will seldom sting persons, unless they are first provoked.

2. To pain acutely; as, the conscience is stung with remorse.

Slander stings the brave.

STING, noun

1. A sharp pointed weapon or instrument which certain animals are armed by nature for their defense, and which they thrust from the hinder part of the body to pierce any animal that annoys or provokes them. In most instances, this instrument is a tube, through which a poisonous matter is discharged, which inflames the flesh, and in some instances proves fatal to life.

2. The thrust of a sting into the flesh. The sting of most insects produces acute pain.

3. Any thing that gives acute pain. Thus we speak of the stings of remorse; the stings of reproach.

4. The point in the last verse; as the sting of an epigram.

5. That which gives the principal pain, or constitutes the principal terror.

The sting of death is sin. 1 Corinthians 15:55.

STINGER, noun That which stings, vexes or gives acute pain.

STINGILY, adverb [from stingy.] With mean covetousness; in a niggardly manner.

STINGINESS, noun [from stingy.] Extreme avarice; mean covetousness; niggardliness.

STINGLESS, adjective [from sting.] Having no sting.

STINGO, noun [from the sharpness of the taste.] Old beer. [A cant word.]

STINGY, adjective [from straitness.]

1. Extremely close and covetous; meanly avaricious; niggardly; narrow hearted; as a stingy churl. [A word in popular use, but low and not admissible into elegant writing.]