螫

The glyph denotes a biological event involving the delivery of venom via a puncture (e.g., a stinger or fang). This includes the act of stinging, the poisonous agent itself, and the resulting localized inflammation or pain.

• Verb: To sting; the act of piercing with a venomous organ.
• Noun (Agent): A poisonous creature, such as an insect or scorpion.
• Noun (Substance/Effect): The venom produced by such a creature or the resulting physical effect of the sting.

• vs. 刺 (cì): While both involve piercing, 刺 refers to a mechanical puncture or stabbing without inherent toxicity.
• vs. 毒 (dú): Whereas 毒 refers to general toxicity (which may be ingested or inhaled), 螫 specifically emphasizes the mode of delivery via biological puncture.

• Reading: Fanqie reading is provided as 施隻 (//zhè//).
• Variants: Semantic variant U+8457 exists; it does not alter the core lexical range.

The presence of the 虫 radical places the glyph within the broad ancient category of "creeping things."

Avoid simplifying 螫 to general terms like "poisoned" or "toxic." To be stung (螫) is a distinct physical event; where context allows, preserve the trauma of the puncture as an integral part of the meaning.