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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Stang, Sting, v. [North. ME stang (Cursor M.), stayng (Rolle), ME and e.m.E. stynge (Chaucer), ON stanga, OE stingan; Stang n.] tr. Of a serpent, bee, etc.: To sting, to pierce with a fang or sting, to inject with poison in this manner; also in fig. context, to infect with evil thoughts, etc.(a) a1400 Leg. S. xviii 427.
Ane edir that wald hym stang 1456 Hay I 29/24 (see Stang n. 1). c1460 Wisd. Sol. (STS) 453.
A bakbytar may be lyknit till an eddyr, that stangis men a1500 Henr. Orph. 441.
Quhen we flee … Fra vertu … The serpent stangis: that is dedely syn That poysons the saule c1500-c1512 Dunb. (STS) lviii 28.
So variant is this warldis rent, That nane thairof can be content, Off deathe quhyll that the dragoun stang thame 1513 Doug. ii vii 35.
Seand hir [sc. a serpent] reddy to stang 1548 Knox III 9.
[The] Lord … hath showen unto us that the serpent hath power only to stang the heele 1581 Hamilton Cath. Tr. in Cath. Tr. (STS) 78/29.
He … hes permittit thaj self same ministers to be venemous serpentis to stang thame 1581 Burne Disput. 169b.
Sa lang as the peopil remaning in the vildernes, var stangit be the fyrie serpentis 1585–6 Misc. Wodrow Soc. 440.
The gude brethren … wha … had bene chastised with roddes before myght thairefter be tormented with scourges, or stangit with scorpions 1600-1610 Melvill 246.
He … whom, being a minister of the kirk, the dragon haid sa stangit with the poisone and venom of avarice and ambition 1661 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. I 647.
Shoe … was stangit with ane clege on the sholder(b) 1554 Knox III 393.
When ye ar stingit with these fyrie and venemous serpentis, direct youre eyis to Jesus 1666-7 Blakhall Narr. 111.
My horse was stinged by an edder or serpent in the breast 1697 Renfrewshire Witches 109.
She cried in a pitiful manner ‘the bumbee has stinged me’

b. intr. transf. Of a person: To inflict pain, hurt, etc. Of weather: To be harsh or severe. 1456 Hay I 29/35.
And thus thai [sc. the Romans] stangit with the taile, as the scorpioun c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 173/9.
Ȝesterday I did declair Quhow that the seasoun soft and fair Com in als fresche as pako fedder This day it stangis lyk ane edder

c. tr. Of a non-material thing: To affect (one) in a sharp or painful manner. c1590 J. Stewart 234 § 139.
Lecherie vith venime did me stang 1653 Binning Wks. (1735) 313.
He suffered Death to sting him, and by this hath taken the sting from it

d. Of the conscience: To affect (a person) with the pains of remorse, etc. 1611 Crim. Trials III 164.
Auchindrane … aduerteised of his returning and thairby stinged with fearfull tormentis of conscience