stingless
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Lacking a sting: Describes an organism, typically an insect like a bee or wasp, that does not possess a stinger or the physical capability to sting.
- Harmless, incapable of causing a sharp pain or injury: Used figuratively to describe something that lacks a sharp, hurtful, or damaging quality.
Usage and Examples
Literal (Biology/Zoology):
- The stingless bee is important for pollination in tropical regions.
- Unlike honeybees, these wasps are stingless and pose no threat to humans.
Figurative:
- His criticism was surprisingly stingless and lacked its usual bite.
- The article's satire was stingless and failed to make a strong point.
Advanced Usage
- Technical/Scientific Context: Used as a classifying term in entomology.
- The study focused on the communication methods of stingless bee species.
Variants and Related Words
- Sting (noun/verb): The sharp organ or act of piercing to inject venom; to cause sharp physical or emotional pain.
- Stinger (noun): The sharp, often venom-injecting organ of an insect or animal.
Synonyms
- Harmless: Not able or likely to cause harm.
- Innocuous: Not harmful or offensive.
Antonyms
- Stinging: Having a sting; capable of stinging.
- Venomous: Capable of injecting venom by means of a sting or bite.
- Hurtful: Causing emotional pain or distress.