Sting ray \Sting ray\ or Stingray \Sting"ray`\, n. Any one of numerous rays of the family Dasyatid[ae], syn. Trygonid[ae], having one or more large sharp barbed dorsal spines, on the whiplike tail, capable of inflicting severe wounds. Some species reach a large size, and some, esp., on the American Pacific coast, are very destructive to oysters.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)