sting1 (sting)

[=Icel. sting i, a pin, a stitch in the side, Sw. sting, a sting (in sense 4), = Dan. sting, stitch; from the verb.] 1. A sharp-pointed organ of certain insects and other animals, capable of inflicting by puncture a painful wound. I bring no tales nor flatteries; in my tongue, sir, I carry no fork'd stings. Fletcher, Loyal Subject, ii. 1. In zool., specifically - ( a ) The modified ovipositor of the females of certain insects, as bees, wasps, hornets, and many other Hymenoptera; an aculeus terebra is this as well as punctured wound, which may become inflamed and very painful or even dangerous; an irritating fluid is injected through the tubular sting when the thrust given. See cut under Hymenoptera. (b) The mouth-parts is of various insects which are formed for piercing and sucking, as in the mosquito and other gnats or midges, gad flies, fleas, bedbugs, etc. In these cases the wound is often poisoned. See cuts under gnat and mosquito. (c) A sting ing hair of the larvæ of various moths, or such organs collectively. See cuts under hag - moth, saddleback, and stinging. (d) The falces of spiders, with which these creatures bite-in some cases, as of the katipo or malmignatte, inflicting a very serious or even fatal wound. See or sting-fish, Trachinus draco. See Trachinus and weever. Also called otter-fish.