stingn.1
/stɪŋ/, U.S. /stɪŋ/, Scottish English /stɪŋ/ Scottish and northern.
1.
a. A pole, staff.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > tool > types of tools generally > [noun] > in form of bar, pole, rod, etc.
stingc725
stakec893
sowelc900
tree971
rungOE
shaftc1000
staffc1000
stockc1000
poleOE
spritOE
luga1250
lever1297
stanga1300
perchc1300
raftc1330
sheltbeam1336
stower1371
palea1382
spar1388
spire1392
perk1396
ragged staff1397
peela1400
slot1399
plantc1400
heck-stower1401
sparkin1408
cammockc1425
sallow stakec1440
spoke1467
perk treec1480
yard1480
bode1483
spit1485
bolm1513
gada1535
ruttock1542
stob1550
blade1558
wattle1570
bamboo1598
loggat1600
barling1611
sparret1632
picket1687
tringle1706
sprund1736
lug-pole1773
polting lug1789
baton1801
stuckin1809
rack-pin1821
picket-pin1844
I-iron1874
pricker1875
stag1881
podger1888
window pole1888
verge1897
sallow pole1898
lat1899
swizzle-stick1962
c725 Corpus Gloss. (Hessels) C 450 Claua, steng [Epinal stegn, Erfurt stęng].
a900 Old Eng. Martyrol. 8 Aug. 142 Þa het se dema hi nacode gebindan to anum stenge ond hi bærnan mid fyre.
c1480 (a1400) St. John Baptist 850 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 247 His harme..stud strekit þare a hyldry steng as it ware.
?1507 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 92 Et duos rusticos de rure Berand a barell on a styng.
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid iii. ix. 87 With ane scharpit and brint sting of tre, Out did we boir and pyke his mekle E.
1571 in J. Raine Wills & Inventories N. Counties Eng. (1835) I. 361 ij styngs for ye wayne xd.
1580 Shipping List of Dundee in D. Wedderburne's Compt. Bk. etc. (S.H.S.) 198 Sex thousand steingis.
1643 Orkney Witch Trial in Abbotsf. Club Miscell. I. 177 If it war the dead manis sting which trublit him, it wold cuir and heale him.
1703 in W. Maitland Hist. Edinb. (1753) 329 Twentie four Sayes, and threttie sex Stings with Knags, whereof sex standing full of Water, and the Stings hanging by them, [etc.].
1724 in W. Cramond Ann. Banff (1893) II. 219 For a sting to drive the oxen, 1s. Sc.
b. A pole or staff or club used as a weapon; the shaft of a pike or spear. Often staff and sting.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > club or stick > [noun]
sowelc893
treec893
cudgelc897
stinga900
bat?c1225
sticka1275
clubc1275
truncheon14..
bourdonc1325
bastona1400
warderera1400
plantc1400
kibble1411
playloomc1440
hurlbatc1450
ploykc1450
rung1491
libberlac1500
waster1533
batonc1550
macana1555
libbet1562
bastinado1574
crab-tree comb1593
tomahawkc1612
billeta1616
wiper1622
batoon1637
gibbeta1640
crab-bat1647
kibbo1688
Indian club1694
batterdasher1696
crab-stick1703
bloodwipea1705
bludgeon1730
kierie1731
oaken towel1739
crab1740
shillelagh1772
knobstick1783
pogamogganc1788
whirlbat1791
nulla-nulla1798
waddy1800
kevel1807
supple1815
mere1820
hurlet1825
knobkerrie1826
blackthorn1829
bastera1833
twig1842
leangle1845
alpeen1847
banger1849
billy1856
thwack-stave1857
clump1868
cosh1869
nulla1878
sap1899
waddy1899
blunt instrument1923
society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > sharp weapon > spear or lance > [noun] > shaft of spear
spear-shafta900
ashOE
shaftc1000
truncheon13..
tree?a1366
timberc1400
sting?a1500
spear-staff1530
steal1530
rodc1540
stale1553
stave1873
staff-
a900 Old Eng. Martyrol. 20 Jan. 27 Þa het he hine mid stengum þyrscan.
c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt. xxvi. 47 Fustibus, stencgum [c975 Rushw. stængum].
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Coll. Phys.) l. 24029 Þai draw him forþe with staf and steng [Vesp. stong].
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) ii. l. 49 Apon the hed ane with the steing hitt he.
a1500 R. Henryson tr. Æsop Fables: Fox, Wolf, & Cadger l. 2101 in Poems (1981) 80 That had nocht in my hand sa mekill gude, As staff or sting ȝone truker for to stryke.
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid ix. viii. 126 The Troianis..dang thame down with pikkis and poyntit styngis.
1535 W. Stewart tr. H. Boethius Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) II. 96 With staf and sting syne slew richt mony ane.
1590–91 Reg. Privy Council Scotl. IV. 587 With thair lance stalffis and stingis [they] gave him divers bauch, blaa and bludie straikis.
1594 (a1555) D. Lindsay Hist. Squyer Meldrum l. 254, in Wks. (1931) I. 153 Bot thair wes daylie skirmishing, Quhair men of armis brak monie sting.
c. (to carry) with or by sting and ling [? line n.2] : with a rope suspended from a pole borne on two or more persons' shoulders. Also sting and ling (without preposition); also figurative = bodily, by force.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > transport > transport or conveyance by carrying > transport or convey by carrying [phrase] > convey on poles
(to carry) with or by sting and linga1605
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > violent behaviour > [phrase] > by violence or force
strong handOE
by forcec1320
through, with, of forcec1320
by or with strifec1330
by way of feat1362
by (also with, by) fine forcea1375
by mighta1425
by force and armsa1481
by way of deed1535
by (the) head and shoulders1571
by (the) head and ears1590
sting and ling1816
a1605 R. Bannatyne Jrnl. Trans. Scotl. (1806) 130 He..was borne up with sex workmen with sting and ling, and Mr. Robert Maitland haulding up his heid.
1615 Chron. Perth in R. Chambers Dom. Ann. Scot. (1858) I. 453 Upon Fasten's E'en there was twa puncheons of Bourdeaux wine carriet, sting and ling, on men's shoulders, on the ice, at the mids of the North Inch.
1816 W. Scott Antiquary III. xv. 322 He..never intended to look near the place again, unless he had been brought there sting and ling.
1883 J. Martine Reminisc. Royal Burgh Haddington 143 Cut figures of two brewer's men, in antique dress, carrying a barrel of ale ‘Sting and Ling’.
2. A pointed instrument used in thatching.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > building and constructing equipment > [noun] > thatching equipment > other thatching equipment
eaves-knifea1642
knape1764
groom1790
sting1802
stinger1854
thatching-beetle1874
spartle1894
spud1939
1802 C. Findlater Gen. View Agric. County of Peebles 46 The thatch..is thrust into holes previously made obliquely upwards in the divots by an iron-shod, dovetailed-pointed hand instrument (called a sting).
1808 in J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang.
1894 R. O. Heslop Northumberland Words (at cited word) To repair thatch..with a sting or forked instrument made for that purpose.
3. Aeronautics. A rod-like support used in wind-tunnel testing (see quot. 1933).
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > air or space travel > a means of conveyance through the air > construction and servicing aircraft or spacecraft > [noun] > testing equipment > rod-like support in wind-tunnel testing
sting1933
1933 Gloss. Aeronaut. Terms (B.S.I.) III. 20 Sting, a light rod attached to and extending backwards from a body for convenience of mounting for test in a wind tunnel.
1948 Jrnl. Royal Aeronaut. Soc. 52 240/1 In this work the model was supported from the rear by means of a sting.
1959 Engineering 6 Feb. 188/1 The model support consists of a quadrant and sting.
Compounds
C1. † sting-sowel n. Obsolete
sting-burden n.
ΚΠ
1701 in J. Bulloch Pynours (1887) 73 Crews for caryeing sting burdens.
sting-lift n.
ΚΠ
1701 in J. Bulloch Pynours (1887) 74 Each Sting lift caried by two men is to pay the double of ane back burden.
sting-man n.
ΚΠ
1554 in J. D. Marwick Extracts Rec. Burgh Edinb. (1871) II. 313 To vj stingmen of the town to beir thir foirsaids stanis furth of the querrellis viijs.
1583 in J. D. Marwick Extracts Rec. Burgh Edinb. (1882) IV. 303 The persouns vnderwrittin to be polkmen and stingmen and metters vpoun the said schoir.
ΚΠ
1235–52 in C. J. Elton Rentalia et Custumaria (1891) (Somerset Rec. Soc.) 88 j palum quem vocant sting soghles.
C2. † stingis-dint n. Obsolete a fine for an assault with a stick.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > fine > [noun] > for fighting or assault > with a stick
stingis-dint1153
stockis-dynt14..
1153–95 Carta Hugonis in W. Greenwell Boldon Bk. (1852) p. xlii In burgo non debet blodwite nec merchete nec heriot nec stengesdint [printed -duit] exigi.
14.. Burgh Lawis xvii, in Anc. Laws Scotl. (Burgh Rec. Soc.) 10 Quod infra burgum non debet exaudiri blodewit nec styngis~dynt nec merchet.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1917; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
stingn.2
/stɪŋ/, U.S. /stɪŋ/ 1.
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a. The act of stinging.
b. The fact or effect of being stung; the wound inflicted by the aculeus of an insect, the telson of a scorpion, the fang of an adder, etc.; the pain or smart of such a wound.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > injury > [noun] > wound > stings or bites
stingc900
stinging1398
biting1527
flea-bite1570
flea-biting1598
bite1736
bug bite1739
snip1767
stangc1800
myiasis1839
snake-bite1839
tooth-wound1899
the world > health and disease > ill health > pain > types of pain > [noun] > smarting or stinging
stingc900
smartingOE
smarta1225
stanginga1300
stinging1398
mordicationa1413
stang1513
urtication1655
smartness1682
verberation1688
mordicancy1693
c900 tr. Bede Eccl. Hist. (1890) ii. ix. 123 Næfde he scyld æt honda, þæt he þone cyning mid scyldan meahte: sette þa his lichoman betweoh beforan þam stynge.
a950 Prose Life Guthlac (1848) xvi Þa besloh se þorn on þone fot, and swa strang wæs se sting þæs þornes, þæt he eode þurh þone fot.
c1000 Sax. Leechd. I. 272 Wið scorpiones stincg genim þas ylcan wyrte..lege to ðam stinge.
c1315 Shoreham Poems iv. 86 Þe wonde swelþ an akeþ, So doþ þe naddre steng.
1594 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 iii. ii. 329 Their softest tuch as smart as lyzards stings.
a1639 S. Marmion Antiquary (1641) iv. sig. G4 Why did you send this serpent to my bosome, To pierce me through with greater cruelty, Than Cleopatra felt from stings of Adders?
1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson ii. viii. 217 A most mischievous serpent..whose sting, they believed, to be inevitable death.
1865 Hardwicke's Sci.-gossip July 166/1 I am told by fishermen that many instances are known of persons losing the use of a hand by this sting [sc. of the weever-fish].
1875 J. Ruskin Let. in Hortus Inclusus (1887) 33 The pang of a nice deep wasp sting.
c. The smart or irritation produced by touching a nettle or similar plant.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > pain > types of pain > [noun] > smarting or stinging > caused by plant
nettling1440
nettle stinging1666
pungency1792
nettle stinga1820
urtication1859
sting1878
1878 T. F. Thiselton-Dyer Eng. Folk-lore 172 To cure the sting of a nettle, the person stung must [etc.].
1884 R. Folkard Plant Lore, Legends & Lyrics 313 It is a common practice..for anyone suffering from the stings of a Nettle to apply a cold Dock-leaf to the inflamed spot.
2. A sharp-pointed organ in certain insects and other animals (e.g. bees, wasps, scorpions) capable of inflicting a painful or dangerous wound. Applied also to the fang or venom-tooth (and erroneously to the forked tongue) of a poisonous serpent.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > class Insecta > parts of insects > [noun] > stinging organ
tanga1350
sting1398
stingle1398
spear1608
stinger1926
the world > animals > reptiles > order Squamata (lizards and snakes) > suborder Ophidia (snakes) > [noun] > parts of > fang
sting1530
fang1800
the world > animals > reptiles > order Squamata (lizards and snakes) > suborder Ophidia (snakes) > [noun] > parts of > forked tongue
tanga1350
sting1530
tongue1581
fork1608
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) xii. v. 414 Many males of been ben wythout stinges.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 276/1 Styng of a serpent or any other venomous beest, esguillon.
?1530 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry (rev. ed.) f. xxxviiiv It is a sayenge that she [sc. the drone] hath lost her stynge and than she wyll not laboure as the other do.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. i. sig. A5 Her huge long taile..Pointed with mortall sting.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. i. sig. A6 A cloud of cumbrous gnattes doe him molest, All striuing to infixe their feeble stinges.
?1611 G. Chapman tr. Homer Iliads iii. 32 A serpent..Her blew necke (swolne with poison) raisd, and her sting out.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Pastorals iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 15 Beware the secret Snake, that shoots a sting.
1726 J. Swift Gulliver I. ii. iii. 65 I took out their Stings, found them an Inch and a half long, and as sharp as Needles.
1861 R. T. Hulme tr. C. H. Moquin-Tandon Elements Med. Zool. ii. v. ii. 276 When not in use, the sting [of the bee] is completely enclosed in the abdomen.
3. Botany. A stiff sharp-pointed tubular hair, which emits an irritating fluid when touched. †Also applied to a thorn.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > part of plant > thorn or prickle > [noun]
thornc950
pileOE
prickOE
pikec1300
spine1430
pricklec1484
brodc1550
sting1567
point1604
spears1607
stob1637
pin1650
pricket1663
spinet1672
aculeus1702
pricker1743
spicula1753
acicula1784
acicule1800
acicle1852
thornlet1882
sticker1889
the world > plants > part of plant > hair or bristle > [noun] > stinging hair
sting1567
stimulus1760
1567 J. Maplet Greene Forest f. 62v The Thorn tree is armed about with Dart and sting.
1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball iv. lxiv. 526 White Cotton Thistel... The stalke is great & thicke set full of prickley stings.
1597 T. Middleton Wisdome of Solomon Paraphr. iv. sig. E3 The nettle hath a sting, the rose a thorne.
1857 A. Pratt Flowering Plants & Ferns Great Brit. V. 23 The sting of the Nettle is a tubular hair.
4. A spike used for driving cattle.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > general equipment > [noun] > goad
goadeOE
prickleOE
yardc1000
prickc1225
gad1289
gorea1325
brodc1375
brodyke1471
pricker?a1475
gad-wand1487
gadstaff1568
stimule1583
goad prick1609
ankus1768
goad stick1773
sjambok1790
driving stick1800
prod1828
sting1842
quirt1845
garrocha1846
gad-stick1866
romal1904
1842 Ld. Tennyson Palace of Art (rev. ed.) in Poems (new ed.) I. 145 The people here, a beast of burden slow, Toil'd onward, prick'd with goads and stings.
5.
a. In many figurative uses; e.g. an acute pain or sharp wound inflicted on the mind or heart; something which (or that element in anything which) inflicts acute pain; the ‘point’ of an epigram or sarcasm; something which goads to action or appetite, a sharp stimulus or incitement. Also in a sting in the tail and variants.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > aspects of emotion > quality of affecting the emotions > [noun] > that which causes emotion > one who or that which stirs the emotions
waker1390
stingc1412
wakener1513
awaker1611
impressor1631
quickener1819
button pusher1990
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > wit, wittiness > [noun] > instance of wit, witticism > point of
sting?1611
c1412 T. Hoccleve De Regimine Principum 3909 Yf..fortunes stynge hym ouerthwerte.
1526 Bible (Tyndale) 1 Cor. xv. 56 The stynge of deeth is synne.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1593) iii. sig. Ii3 The renewed sting of iealosie.
?1611 G. Chapman tr. Homer Iliads xiii. 233 Be assur'd, my spirite needs no stings To this hote conflict.
a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) ii. vii. 189 Freize, freize, thou bitter skie..thy sting is not so sharpe, as freind remembred not. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) i. iv. 58 One, who neuer feeles The wanton stings, and motions of the sence.
a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) iii. iv. 18 Ah what sharpe stings are in her mildest words! View more context for this quotation
1657 in F. P. Verney & M. M. Verney Mem. Verney Family 17th Cent. (1907) II. 52 His letter to you I hope will be full of douceur with out a stinge at the tayle of it.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 106 Too soon they must not feel the stings of Love. View more context for this quotation
1713 J. Addison Cato i. i Portius, no more! your words leave stings behind 'em.
1770 J. Langhorne & W. Langhorne tr. Marcellus in Plutarch Lives II. 399 This [result of an ambuscade] added stings to Marcellus's desire of an engagement.
1818 H. Hallam View Europe Middle Ages I. i. 65 The sting of taxation is wastefulness.
c1820 W. Blake On Homer's Poetry in Compl. Writings (1972) 778 Those who will have Unity exclusively in Homer come out with a Moral like a sting in the tail.
1826 C. Lamb in New Monthly Mag. 16 263 The innocent prattle of his children takes out the sting of a man's poverty.
1842 T. B. Macaulay Frederic the Great in Ess. 1851 II. 672 For that end it was necessary that Prussia should be all sting.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. vi. 129 They never worked till they felt the sting of hunger.
1926 Times 7 Sept. 17/5 The sting of this book is in its tail.
1952 A. Christie They do it with Mirrors 192 Don't say it. I'm suspicious of these village parallels. They've always got a sting in the tail.
1979 A. Williamson Funeral March for Siegfried xxxii. 165 He..added a sting in the tail. ‘Of course, if the murderer were one of you, an interloper would not be necessary.’
b. In generalized sense: Stinging quality, capacity to sting or hurt; a (specified) degree or amount of this. Frequently in to take the sting out of (something).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > violent action or operation > severity > [noun]
tartnessc1000
asperity?c1225
hardship?c1225
smartness1340
duressc1400
straitnessc1460
hardlaikc1540
severeness1579
sorenessa1586
grievousness1611
severity1835
sting1860
the mind > emotion > suffering > cause of mental pain or suffering > [noun] > quality
grievousheada1400
painfulnessc1400
importunityc1475
grievousness1509
grievesomeness1583
sting1860
distressfulness1890
plangency1900
the world > health and disease > ill health > pain > [noun] > that which causes
rack1607
sting1900
1860 Baily's Monthly Mag. Oct. 42 Hayward's..rare defence completely took the sting out of the Surrey bowling.
1863 Frederick Lillywhite's Cricket Scores & Biogr. Cricketers III. 74 He..often took the ‘sting’ out of the bowling, by getting his runs remarkably slow.
1876 G. O. Trevelyan Life & Lett. Macaulay II. vii. 4 This passage, as it now stands, has been deprived of half its sting.
1893 ‘Q’ Delectable Duchy 342 The firemen..robbed the epigram of all its sting.
1896 Daily News 29 June 7/2 When once collared the Yorkshire bowling lacks sting.
1900 J. G. Frazer Golden Bough (ed. 2) III. 92 To give more sting to every blow the whip-lashes are knotted.
1942 R.A.F. Jrnl. 3 Oct. 24 It has taken the sting out of the Adjutant.
1956 ‘B. Holiday’ & W. Dufty Lady sings Blues xix. 176 I was so happy I cried. People like Lena took the sting out of other little people.
1977 Jrnl. Royal Soc. Arts 125 464/1 This defence consists in establishing..that the derogatory words—or at least their sting—were true.
c. Australian slang. (a) Strong drink, ‘stingo’; (b) a drug, spec. one administered to a racehorse in the form of an injection.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > intoxicating liquor > types or qualities of intoxicating liquor > [noun] > strong
strong drinkc1405
ipse1634
knock-down1698
hogan1702
knock-me-down1756
milk1784
hot stuff1823
chain lightning1825
sudden death1834
hardware1835
stagger-juice1905
sting1929
strongers1939
screech1944
rocket fuel1958
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > horse racing > equipment > [noun] > drug given to horse
dope1900
sting1949
1929 K. S. Prichard Coonardoo 60 ‘Misses his three square meals a day and sting,’ Bob explained.
1949 L. Glassop Lucky Palmer 36 They're going to give it the sting. They'll hit it with enough dope to win a Melbourne Cup.
1958 F. Hardy Four-legged Lottery 173 The ‘smarties’ soon found stings that didn't show on a swab.
1972 J. de Hoog Skid Row Dossier 4 You can share a bottle of sting (methylated spirits) down a lane.
d. slang (chiefly U.S., originally Criminals'). (a) A burglary or other act of theft, fraud, etc., esp. one that is carefully planned in advance and swiftly executed; (b) a police undercover operation designed to ensnare criminals.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > [noun] > an instance or act of > planned or organized
job1679
put-up job1812
plant1825
voyage of discovery1857
sting1930
society > law > law enforcement > investigation of crime > [noun] > other specific methods
shadowing1890
entrapment1899
obbo1933
stop1968
sting1976
1930 Liberty 20 Sept. 77/1 The hustlers would sit around planning their stings and I guess about half of the jobs pulled in southern Ohio that year started in my parlor.
1955 Publ. Amer. Dial. Soc. No. 24. 76 The sting we described involved a wallet obviously on its feet.
1975 Courier-Mail (Brisbane) 11 Mar. 6/8 A transaction between a jewellery salesman and a professed buyer with $230,000 in his pocket was intercepted yesterday by a cab driver who made off with the cash. Investigators believe the theft was a set-up ‘sting’.
1976 National Observer (U.S.) 13 Mar. 6/3 The Sting also produced leads to three murders and several other unsolved major crimes.
1977 Telegraph (Brisbane) 24 Aug. 25/2 ‘Sting’ officers operated in old warehouses and run-down storefronts, developed close contacts with loose-lipped thugs who believe they dealt with fellow criminals.
1982 Sunday Times 14 Nov. 15/2 The Miami ‘sting’ was so well set up that it survived a remarkable breach of security.
1983 Observer 30 Jan. 10/2 His second reaction was to inform the American authorities and get their approval for an elaborate and costly ‘sting’.
6. The tapering point of a pointer's tail. Cf. sting-tail n. at Compounds 2 (a) in sense Compounds 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > family Canidae > other types of dog > [noun] > pointer > parts of
sting1872
1872 ‘Idstone’ Dog 119 The genuine sort [of Pointers] has a tail thick at the root, and gradually tapering to an absolute point or ‘sting.’
1872 ‘Idstone’ Dog 122 At last we have seen the sting of her fine stern above the rushes.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > piece of music > section of piece of music > ornament > [noun] > grace > in lute playing
sting1676
sting-grace1676
stinging grace1676
1676 T. Mace Musick's Monument 109 The Sting, is another very Neat, and Pritty Grace; (But not Modish in These Days).
Compounds
C1. General attributive.
sting-proof adj.
ΚΠ
1886 H. P. Wells Amer. Salmon Fisherman 85 Kid gloves are sting-proof.
C2. Also sting ray n.† sting-free adj. Obsolete exempt from, or proof against, being stung.† sting-grace n. Music Obsolete a particular tremolo effect in lute-playing.† sting-worm n. Obsolete ? a worm supposed to sting cattle (cf. taint-worm n.).
sting-bull n. the greater weever, Trachinus draco.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > fish > superorder Acanthopterygii (spiny fins) > order Perciformes (perches) > [noun] > suborder Trachinoidei > member of family Trachinidae (weever) > greater
sting-bull1836
sea-weever1902
1836 W. Yarrell Hist. Brit. Fishes I. 20 The Great Weever, Sting-bull, Sea Cat.
sting-fish n. (a) the lesser weever, Trachinus vipera; (b) the sea-scorpion, Cottus scorpius.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > fish > superorder Acanthopterygii (spiny fins) > order Perciformes (perches) > [noun] > suborder Trachinoidei > member of family Trachinidae (weever) > lesser
sting-fish1836
viper-weever1863
stang1880
stangster1880
stony cobbler1880
shoemaker1904
the world > animals > fish > superorder Acanthopterygii (spiny fins) > order Perciformes (perches) > order Scorpaeniformes (scorpion-fish) > [noun] > family Cottidae (sculpins) > member of genus Cottus (bull-head) > cottus scorpius (sea scorpion)
father-lasher1673
sting-fish1836
hardhead1867
sea scorpion1896
1836 W. Yarrell Hist. Brit. Fishes I. 25 Lesser Weever, Otter-pike, Sting-fish.
1863 J. Couch Hist. Fishes Brit. Islands II. 8 Sting-fish..Cottus Scorpius.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > [adjective] > safe or invulnerable > specific
pistol-proof1590
sword-proofa1593
fireproof1610
plot proofa1616
shot-free1616
stick-free1632
armour-proof1635
water-free1642
sting-free1644
iron-free1670
bomb-proof1702
ball-proof1759
bear-proof1840
bullet-proof1856
dingo-proof1873
aseismic1884
tamperproof1886
radioresistant1922
tamper-resistant1978
1644 S. Kem Messengers Preparation 27 Nothing can arme death to hurt us but sin, otherwise thou art hard, sting-free.
1658 J. Rowland tr. T. Moffett Theater of Insects in Topsell's Hist. Four-footed Beasts (rev. ed.) 907 If you would indeed resolve to go sting-free, or at least heal your self being stung.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > piece of music > section of piece of music > ornament > [noun] > grace > in lute playing
sting1676
sting-grace1676
stinging grace1676
1676 T. Mace Musick's Monument 126 Those Three Notes also to have the Sting-Grace.
sting-moth n. the Australian moth, Doratifera vulnerans, the larva of which is able to sting.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > class Insecta > Heterocera > [noun] > unspecified and miscellaneous types > miscellaneous types
high-flyer?1749
nonpareil1749
porphyry1819
satin carpet1819
satin pygmy1828
scopolian1829
chalk carpet1832
sieve lackey1832
sprawler1832
tissue1832
treble bar1832
treble gold stripe1832
vesper-beauty1832
viburnian1832
yellowhead1832
flame carpet1862
sting-moth1863
lilac moth1868
luna-moth1869
melon-caterpillar1884
wood-nymph1885
unicorn-moth1891
geometer moth1897
the suspected1908
porina1929
tomato pinworm1931
mopane worm1966
1863 J. G. Wood Illustr. Nat. Hist. (new ed.) III. 537 Sting-moth, Doratifera vulnerans.
sting-nettle n. Urtica dioica and other species.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > plants and herbs > according to family > Urticaceae (nettle and allies) > [noun]
nettleeOE
dock-nettlea1300
Greekish nettlec1450
Roman nettle1578
red nettle1611
ettle1688
urtica1706
bur-nettle1714
pill nettle1714
nettle plant1764
richweed1814
clearweed1822
sting-nettle1822
ongaonga1842
nettlewort1846
urtical1846
jinny1876
1822 J. M. Good Study Med. IV. 135 Both sting-nettles and flagellations..are said to have worked wonders.
1869 R. D. Blackmore Lorna Doone I. vii. 78 I rubbed them [sc. my toes] well with a sprout of young sting-nettle.
sting-tail n. (a) a tail tapering to a point, as in the pointer (cf. 6); (b) U.S. = sting ray n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > fish > subclass Elasmobranchii > order Hypotremata > [noun] > member of family Dasyatidae (sting-ray)
sting ray1624
sea-devil1634
fiery-flaw1684
fire-flaw1684
whip-ray1699
fire-flaira1705
devil fish1737
trygon1749
stingaree1838
sephen1854
sting-tail1872
fiery-flare1889
the world > animals > animal body > general parts > rump and tail > [noun] > tail > pointed
sprigtail1676
sting-tail1872
1872 ‘Idstone’ Dog iii. 30 That pointer, with his graceful lines, sting-tail, and polished coat.
1881 E. Ingersoll Oyster-industry (10th Census U.S.: Bureau of Fisheries) 249 Sting-tail.—The sting-ray, Dasybatis centrura. (New York.)
sting-tailed adj. having a sting in the tail (also figurative).
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > animal body > general parts > rump and tail > [adjective] > relating to the tail > having a tail > having sting in tail
sting-tailed1611
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > wit, wittiness > [adjective] > sharp
stinginga1529
salta1600
salted1647
caustic1771
acuminated1833
salty1866
lashing1900
sting-tailed1905
1611 J. Speed Hist. Great Brit. ix. xxiv. 848/1 Those sting-tailed Locusts, arising with foggy smoake from the bottomlesse pit.
1905 Q. Rev. Jan. 30 Sting-tailed witticisms.
sting-winkle n. (see quot. 1851).
ΚΠ
1851 S. P. Woodward Man. Mollusca i. 106 M[urex]erinaceus..is called ‘sting-winkle’ by fishermen, who say it makes round holes in the other shell-fish with its beak.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > invertebrates > subkingdom Metazoa > grade Triploblastica or Coelomata > division Vermes > [noun] > member of (worm) > parasitic or harmful > to animals
sting-worm1577
felter1607
needle-worma1750
stag-worm1753
heartworm1877
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry iii. f. 134v If he [sc. a bullock] swell of the Taint, or Stingworme, geue him Urine, Salt, & Tryacle to drinke.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1917; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
stingv.1
/stɪŋ/, U.S. /stɪŋ//stʌŋ/. Forms: infinitive Old English stingan, stincgan, Middle English stincgen, Middle English–1500s stingen, Middle English styngen, styngyn, Middle English–1500s stinge, Middle English–1500s stynge, Middle English styngge, 1500s styng, Middle English– sting. imp. singular Middle English sting, stink. past tense Old English–1600s, 1700s–1800s dialect stang, Middle English–1500s stong, (Middle English stoong), 1500s– stung; plural Old English stungon, Middle English Orm. stungenn, Middle English stounge(n, Middle English stungen, Middle English stonge, stongen; weak 1500s–1600s, 1800s dialect stinged, 1800s dialect stunged. past subjunctive 3rd person singular Middle English stunge. past participle Old English–Middle English stungen, Middle English istungen, Orm. -stungenn, Middle English istunge, Middle English stungyn, Middle English–1500s stunge, 1500s– stung; Middle English ystonge(n, istonge, (Middle English istounge, Middle English ystonnge, stoungen), Middle English–1500s stongen, (Middle English stangen, Middle English stonken), 1500s stonge, stongue, stoung, 1500s–1600s stong; weak Middle English–1500s stynged, styngyd, 1500s–1600s, 1800s dialect stinged.ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > making holes or becoming holed > make (an opening or hole) [verb (transitive)] > make an opening or hole in or into > bore, pierce, or perforate > with something sharp-pointed
shearOE
sting993
stickOE
spita1225
wound?c1225
stitchc1230
pitcha1275
threstc1275
forprick1297
steekc1300
piercec1325
rivec1330
dag?a1400
jag?a1400
lancec1400
pickc1400
tamec1400
forpierce1413
punch1440
launch1460
thringc1485
empiercec1487
to-pierce1488
joba1500
ding1529
stob?1530
probe1542
enthrill1563
inthirlc1580
cloy1590
burt1597
pink1597
lancinate1603
perterebrate1623
puncture1675
spike1687
skiver1832
bepierce1840
gimlet1841
prong1848
javelin1859
the world > life > death > killing > killing by specific method > kill [verb (transitive)] > by stabbing or cutting
snithec725
ofstingeOE
stickOE
to sting to death13..
to put (do) to the sword1338
throata1382
to strike dead, to (the) deathc1390
hewc1400
stab1530
to stab (a person) in1530
poniard1593
stiletto1613
jugulate1623
kris1625
dagger1694
pike1787
to cut down1821
sword1863
993 Battle of Maldon 128 He mid gare stang wlancne wicing.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 13774 Boccus mid his spere stronge Bedver hafde istunge [c1300 Otho of-stonge].
a1300 Cursor Mundi 26018 Wit thorn, glaiue, nail,..Wit quilk þat crist for us was stongen.
c1315 Shoreham ii. 116 A kniȝt wyþ one scharpe spere Stang hyne iþe ryȝt syde.
13.. K. Alis. (Laud) 3717 He..smyteþ a Duk arabian..And to þe deþ haþ hym stunge.
c1394 P. Pl. Crede 553 Þei ben y-sewed wiþ whiȝt silk & semes full queynte, Y-stongen wiþ stiches þat stareþ as siluer.
c1430 Syr Gener. (Roxb.) 5000 Thurgh the bodie he him stoong.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 290/2 Lawncyn, or stynge wythe a spere, or blode yryne, lanceo.
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur xxi. x. 855 There was laementacyon as they had be stungyn wyth sperys.
2. absolute.?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 154 Scorpiun..stingeð mid þe teil.c1394 P. Pl. Crede 648 Þer is no waspe in þis werlde þat will wilfulloker styngen.1600 W. Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream iii. ii. 73 With doubler tongue Then thyne (thou serpent) neuer Adder stung . View more context for this quotation1895 P. Hemingway Out of Egypt ii. 188 He flung the truth from him as one might fling a viper that had stung.† d. slang. To rob or cheat. Obsolete.
a. ‘To pierce or wound with a point darted out, as that of wasps or scorpions’ (Johnson). Said also of venomous serpents and some other animals which inflict sharp or poisonous wounds. to sting to death; also to sting to the quick (now rare in literal sense: see 5).
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > injury > injure [verb (transitive)] > wound > sting or bite
stingc888
pricka1200
to-sting?a1300
to-bite1375
bitea1382
stanga1400
tanga1400
strikec1480
c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. xxxi. §2 Swa swa seo beo sceal losian þonne heo hwæt irringa stingð.
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 17441 Þa neddress þatt stungenn þe menn.
c1290 S. Eng. Leg. 206/232 Þe Crapoudes..stoungen heom þoruȝ heore heortene with heore foule wrottes grete.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 3896 Ðor-fore hem cam wrim-kin among, Ðat hem wel bitterlike stong.
a1400 Seuyn Sages (W.) 759 The adder so the grehound stang.
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur xxi. iv. 845 An adder..stonge a knyght on the foot & whan the knyght felte hym stongen [etc.].
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 736/1 I wene this adder hath styngyd me.
1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball v. xxv. 584 Good to be dronken of them which are stongue with Bees and Waspes.
1587 R. Crompton Short Declar. End Traytors sig. Diijv Some times they were stinged to death, with fierie Serpents of straunge kind.
1630 J. Smith True Trav. xxvii. 58 Stung neere to death with a most poysoned taile of a fish called Stingray.
c1662 in F. P. Verney & M. M. Verney Mem. Verney Family 17th Cent. (1907) II. 262 Little flyes which sting our hands and faces.
1726 J. Swift Gulliver I. ii. iii. 64 They would fix upon my Nose or Forehead, where they stung me to the quick.
1849 J. W. Carlyle Lett. II. 76 Stung by a wasp.
1878 T. Hardy Return of Native III. iv. vii. 64 Stung by an adder.
b. To insert (venom) by stinging.Apparently an isolated use.
ΚΠ
1648 T. Winyard Midsummer-moone 2 His skull is a meer nest of hornets, which sting into him their own waspishnesse.
c. transferred and figurative. To inflict a sharp or mortal hurt upon. (Cf. sense 1.)
ΚΠ
a1400 St. Alexius 1017 (Laud 622) Deþ! why nyltou me stynge?
1496 Epit. Iaspar Late Duke of Beddeforde (Pynson) sig. av Thou dolorous deth, to the herte hast him stynged [rhyme reuenged].
1559 W. Baldwin et al. Myrroure for Magistrates Henry Percy iv I had a son which so the Scottes did sting, That being yong, and but a very spring Syr Henry Hotspur they gaue him to name.
a1653 H. Binning Sinners Sanctuary xxviii, in Wks. (1735) 313 He suffered Death to sting him, and by this hath taken the Sting from it.
1878 R. Jefferies Gamekeeper at Home ix. 194 Two fired,..‘stinging’ one man in the leg.
1883 Daily News 20 Sept. 6/7 The little vessel..taking her chance of stinging or demoralising the enemy.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > steal [verb (transitive)] > steal from
picka1350
lifta1529
filch1567
purloinc1571
prowl1603
touch1631
pinch1632
to pick up1687
to speak with ——1725
knock1767
shab1787
jump1789
to speak to ——1800
shake1811
spice1819
sting1819
tap1879
to knock over1928
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > defrauding or swindling > perpetrate (a swindle) [verb (transitive)] > defraud or swindle
defraud1362
deceivec1380
plucka1500
lurch1530
defeata1538
souse1545
lick1548
wipe1549
fraud1563
use1564
cozen1573
nick1576
verse1591
rooka1595
trim1600
skelder1602
firk1604
dry-shave1620
fiddle1630
nose1637
foista1640
doa1642
sharka1650
chouse1654
burn1655
bilk1672
under-enter1692
sharp1699
stick1699
finger1709
roguea1714
fling1749
swindle1773
jink1777
queer1778
to do over1781
jump1789
mace1790
chisel1808
slang1812
bucket1819
to clean out1819
give it1819
to put in the hole1819
ramp1819
sting1819
victimize1839
financier1840
gum1840
snakea1861
to take down1865
verneuk1871
bunco1875
rush1875
gyp1879
salt1882
daddle1883
work1884
to have (one) on toast1886
slip1890
to do (a person) in the eye1891
sugar1892
flay1893
to give (someone) the rinky-dink1895
con1896
pad1897
screw1900
short-change1903
to do in1906
window dress1913
ream1914
twist1914
clean1915
rim1918
tweedle1925
hype1926
clip1927
take1927
gazump1928
yentz1930
promote1931
to take (someone) to the cleaners1932
to carve up1933
chizz1948
stiff1950
scam1963
to rip off1969
to stitch up1970
skunk1971
to steal (someone) blind1974
diddle-
1819 J. H. Vaux New Vocab. Flash Lang. in Memoirs II. 214 Sting, to rob or defraud a person or place is called stinging them, as, that cove is too fly; he has been stung before; meaning that man is upon his guard; he has already been trick'd.
1823 P. Egan Grose's Classical Dict. Vulgar Tongue (rev. ed.)
e. to sting (someone) for (something): to induce (someone) to give (money, etc.) by begging or borrowing in an exploitative manner. slang (originally U.S.).
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > financial dealings > borrowing money > borrow money [verb (transitive)] > borrow money from
borrowa1000
touch1760
cadge1863
to sting (someone) for1903
to put the bee on1918
bite1919
to put the sleeve on1931
to put the bite on1933
the mind > will > motivation > persuasion > persuade (a person) [verb (transitive)] > wheedle, coax, or cajole > swindle by
to sting (someone) for1903
sweedle1909
1903 Hartford (Connecticut) Courant 17 Apr. 10/6 An undergraduate is no longer ‘stuck’ for a dinner, a seat at the play, a railroad ticket; he is ‘stung’ for it.
1911 W. J. Locke Glory of Clementina Wing xxi They were left, they were done, they were stung—they were all things that slang has invented to describe the position of men deceived by those in whom they trusted.
1925 E. Fraser & J. Gibbons Soldier & Sailor Words s.v. He stung me for one shilling.
1928 L. North Parasites 69 She stung us on salary—eight hundred a week.
1929 M. de la Roche Whiteoaks v. 78 I was talking the other day to a young fellow who had paid a fancy price for one [sc. a horse]... But he'd got badly stung.
1940 N. Marsh Surfeit of Lampreys (1941) ii. 34 We hope to sting Uncle G. for two thousand [pounds].
1973 P. G. Wodehouse Bachelors Anonymous iii. 26 He wants to make a touch... He even stung me for a bit the other day.
1976 P. Cave High Flying Birds iv. 46 You still letting that bum sting you for drinks?
f. To swindle or overcharge (someone); to involve (someone) in financial loss. Frequently in passive. Cf. sense 2d slang (originally U.S.).
ΚΠ
1905 ‘H. McHugh’ You can search Me 15 Did they sting you for the whole bundle?
1922 S. Lewis Babbitt iii. 27 Guess I'll have to get down to the office now and sting a few clients.
1923 Daily Mail 22 Jan. 8 [He] told me..he stood to lose some enormous number of millions of marks if Germany went phut... He seemed hurt when I said I was very glad if he got stung for trading with the enemy.
1927 P. G. Wodehouse Small Bachelor vii. 121 ‘How much did you pay?’ ‘Three hundred dollars.’ ‘You were stung... The stock is so much waste paper.’
1943 K. Tennant Ride on Stranger vii. 62 In this world you've got to sting or get stung.
1955 M. Allingham Beckoning Lady v. 82 You sting 'em when the time comes.
1974 ‘E. Lathen’ Sweet & Low xi. 108 Big names do not like getting stung.
1981 London Mag. July 15 I've no idea how much her son pays her... I like to think she's really stinging her son.
3.
a. Of certain plants, etc.: To produce by contact a kind of rash or inflammation, accompanied with a burning sensation and itching, in (a person's skin). Also absol. (cf. stinging adj.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > pain > types of pain > affect with type of pain [verb (transitive)] > affect with smart or sting > of plant
sting1548
1548 T. Cooper Bibliotheca Eliotæ (rev. ed.) at Compungo Ye must beware that he bee not stounge with a nettle.
1565 T. Cooper Thesaurus at Compungo He is stinged with a nettel.
1583 B. Melbancke Philotimus (new ed.) sig. Ciii Play with the nettle neuer soe nimbly & it will sting thee.
1665 G. Harvey Disc. Plague (1673) 133 A pricking of the intire skin, as if stung with Nettles.
1839 C. Darwin in R. Fitzroy & C. Darwin Narr. Surv. Voy. H.M.S. Adventure & Beagle III. xxii. 552 I was a good deal surprised by finding two species of coral..possessed of the property of stinging.
1882 J. Smith Dict. Pop. Names Plants 392 Lobed leaves, covered..with stiff hairs,..which sting fearfully.
1898 E. C. E. Lückes Gen. Nursing (1900) x. 129 The discomfort of the mustard stinging in little patches is thus prevented.
b. reflexive. To get stung. colloquial.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > pain > types of pain > suffer type of pain [verb (reflexive)] > be stung
sting1663
nettle1719
1663 S. Tuke Adventures of Five Hours i. 14 I've touch'd a Nettle, and have stung my self.
4.
a. transferred. To affect with a tingling pain, a burning sensation, or the like.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > pain > types of pain > affect with type of pain [verb (transitive)] > affect with smart or sting
smarta1200
sting?1615
mordicate1651
punge1657
wasp1846
nettle1858
?1615 G. Chapman tr. Homer Odysses (new ed.) xiii. 128 As..foure braue horse Before a Chariot, stung into their course With feruent lashes of the smarting Scourge.
a1628 F. Greville Life of Sidney (1651) xii. 149 He judiciously observing the pangs his wound stang him with by fits.
1853 ‘C. Bede’ Adventures Mr. Verdant Green xi. 106 His whole person put in chancery, stung, bruised, [etc.].
1878 C. Stanford Symbols Christ (new ed.) vii. 186 When stung by a spark of fire we start in agony.
b. absol. (Cf. stinging adj.)
ΚΠ
1735 W. Somervile Chace iv. 423 With quick Sensation now The fuming Vapour stings.
1881 C. M. Yonge Lads & Lasses Langley ii. 64 ‘Well, it don't sting like the other,’ said Frank,..as if he thought stinging a good quality in beer.
1891 F. W. Farrar Darkness & Dawn II. xxxix. 59 He felt the curling lash..come stinging round his body.
5. figurative. To affect with a sudden sharp mental pain or an access of painful emotion or irritation; to drive to or into (rage, madness, etc.) by some sharp passion or vexation; to goad or stimulate to or into (action).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > anger > irritation > irritate [verb (transitive)]
gremec893
grillc897
teenOE
mispay?c1225
agrillec1275
oftenec1275
tarya1300
tarc1300
atenec1320
enchafec1374
to-tarc1384
stingc1386
chafe?a1400
pokec1400
irec1420
ertc1440
rehete1447
nettlec1450
bog1546
tickle1548
touch1581
urge1593
aggravate1598
irritate1598
dishumour1600
to wind up1602
to pick at ——1603
outhumour1607
vex1625
bloody1633
efferate1653
rankle1659
spleen1689
splenetize1700
rile1724
roil1742
to put out1796
to touch (also get, catch, etc.) (a person) on the raw1823
roughen1837
acerbate1845
to stroke against the hair, the wrong way (of the hair)1846
nag1849
to rub (a person, etc.) up the wrong way1859
frump1862
rattle1865
to set up any one's bristles1873
urticate1873
needle1874
draw1876
to rough up1877
to stick pins into1879
to get on ——1880
to make (someone) tiredc1883
razoo1890
to get under a person's skin1896
to get a person's goat1905
to be on at1907
to get a person's nanny1909
cag1919
to get a person's nanny-goat1928
cagmag1932
peeve1934
tick-off1934
to get on a person's tits1945
to piss off1946
bug1947
to get up a person's nose1951
tee1955
bum1970
tick1975
the mind > will > motivation > motivate [verb (transitive)] > incite or instigate
stirc897
putOE
sputc1175
prokec1225
prickc1230
commovec1374
baitc1378
stingc1386
movea1398
eager?a1400
pokec1400
provokea1425
tollc1440
cheera1450
irritec1450
encourage1483
incite1483
harden1487
attice1490
pricklea1522
to set on1523
incense1531
irritate1531
animate1532
tickle1532
stomach1541
instigate1542
concitea1555
upsteer1558
urge1565
instimulate1570
whip1573
goad1579
raise1581
to set upa1586
to call ona1592
incitate1597
indarec1599
alarm1602
exstimulate1603
to put on1604
feeze1610
impulse1611
fomentate1613
emovec1614
animalize1617
stimulate1619
spura1644
trinkle1685
cite1718
to put up1812
prod1832
to jack up1914
goose1934
the mind > emotion > suffering > mental anguish or torment > cause of mental anguish or torment > cause anguish to or torment [verb (transitive)] > afflict with pangs
pingeOE
prickOE
bite?c1200
to smite to a person's hearta1225
stingc1386
hita1400
tanga1400
prickle?a1513
pang1520
punch1548
stimulate1548
twinge1647
the mind > emotion > suffering > mental anguish or torment > suffer anguish or torment [verb (intransitive)]
anguisha1400
smoke1548
wring1565
to eat one's (own) heart1590
to bleed inwardlya1616
sting1849
twinge1850
to be hard (sometimes heavily, badly) hit1854
c1386 G. Chaucer Pardoner's Tale 85 Thanne wol I stynge hym with my tonge smerte.
a1400–50 Wars Alex. 667 Oft storbis me þi statour & stingis me ȝerne Þat þi personale proporcion sa party is to myne.
1537 T. Starkey Let. in England (1878) i. p. l The dethe of them wych suffryd in the cause hathe so stonge hys hart.
1600 Weakest goeth to Wall sig. B4 I am so stung with this indignitie.
a1602 W. Perkins Cases of Consc. (1619) 64 Their great and capitall sins, that stinged and wounded their consciences.
1700 J. Dryden Chaucer's Palamon & Arcite i, in Fables 9 Scarce had he seen, but, seiz'd with sudden Smart, Stung to the Quick, he felt it at his Heart.
1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield II. v. 81 Little villany can at any time get within the soul, and sting it into rage.
1769 ‘Junius’ Stat Nominis Umbra (1772) I. xxix. 206 A man may be quite indifferent about one part of a charge, yet severely stung with another.
1787 Generous Attachm. I. 136 Mrs. Penelope..stung with curiosity, came in.
1836 Penny Cycl. V. 290/1 Stung to madness by defeat.
1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. II. v. vii. 328 This poor Legislative, spurred and stung into action by a whole France.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. vii. 224 The jurymen themselves were stung by remorse when they thought over what they had done.
1864 J. H. Burton Scot Abroad I. iv. 177 Mary stung the dowager occasionally with her sarcastic tongue.
1891 F. H. Williams Atman vi. 296 The torrent of his thoughts and fears..stinging him to effort.
6. intransitive. To feel sharp pain or distress; to smart. Of a wound or sore: To shoot or throb with pain.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > pain > types of pain > suffer or cause type of pain [verb (intransitive)] > smart or sting > suffer smarting or stinging
smarta1200
sting1847
swithe1876
swither1876
1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) xxxi. 273 The groans of a person stinging under defeat.
1856 P. Thompson Hist. & Antiq. Boston, Lincoln 725 Stang, or Sting (to), to throb, with great pain.
1912 19th Cent. Nov. 1015 The West [of U.S.A.] was stinging with want.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1917; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
stingv.2
/stɪŋ/, U.S. /stɪŋ/, Scottish English /stɪŋ//stɪndʒ/. Scottish and northern.
transitive. To thatch or repair thatch with a ‘sting’ or pointed tool.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > building or constructing > building or providing with specific parts > build or provide with specific parts [verb (transitive)] > roof > thatch > thatch in specific way
reed1440
stob1535
sting1707
1707 in Lady G. Baillie's Househ. Bk. (S.H.S.) p. lxiv For 85 threve oat stra crop 1707 @ 6s. to sting the house, £2. 2s. 6d.
1710 in Lady G. Baillie's Househ. Bk. (S.H.S.) 238.
1802 C. Findlater Gen. View Agric. County of Peebles iii. 46 Heath is neither sewed nor stinged.
1854 A. E. Baker Gloss. Northants. Words II. 297 Stinge, to repair thatched buildings by driving up the old thatch, and pushing in the new halm by means of the stinger.
1876 F. K. Robinson Gloss. Words Whitby Sting in, to tuck in with a ‘stinging-prod’ [defined as ‘a long iron point’].
1881 S. Evans Evans's Leicestershire Words (new ed.) Stinge.
1894 R. O. Heslop Northumberland Words Sting.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1917; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1c725
n.2c900v.1c888v.21707