Sting (biology)
From Free net encyclopedia
A sting (or stinger) is a common term for a sharp organ of an animal or plant that can pierce the skin of another animal. A stinger is different from other piercing organs in that it pierces by its own action, as opposed to e.g., teeth, which pierce by the force of jaws, or thorns, which pierce by the actiion of the victim.
Usually a stinger is found in venomous animals and delivers venom.
There are several different constructions of stingers. 1. Any sharp organ of offense or 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 snake. Among mammals, the male duck-billed platypus is unique in having a poisonous sting.
2. 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.
"Sting" also refers to the wound caused by a stinger, and used as a verb "to sting" is to inflict such a wound.
See also
Source: OPTED, Project Gutenberg and the 1913 edition of Webster's Unabridged Dictionary.