Sting ray

Sting Sting, n. [AS. sting a sting. See {Sting}, v. t.] 1. (Zo["o]l.) 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} (Zo["o]l.), an Australian moth ({Doratifera vulnerans}) whose larva is armed, at each end of the body, with four tubercles bearing powerful stinging organs.

{Sting ray}. (Zo["o]l.) See under 6th {Ray}.

{Sting winkle} (Zo["o]l.), a spinose marine univalve shell of the genus Murex, as the European species ({Murex erinaceus}). See Illust. of {Murex}. [1913 Webster]