Emily Dickinson Lexicon

STING, n. [Sax. sting, stincg; Ice. staung, a spear; W. ystang; D. steng, a pole or perch; Sw. stång; It. stanga, a bar. These words are all of one family.]

1. A sharp pointed weapon or instrument with 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. – Dryden.
5. That which gives the principal pain or constitutes the principal terror. The sting of death is sin. – 1 Cor. xv.