from kenteo (to prick); a point ("centre"), i.e. a sting (figuratively, poison) or goad (figuratively, divine impulse):--prick, sting.
a sting, as that of bees, scorpions, locusts. Since animals wound by their sting and even cause death, Paul attributes death, personified as a sting, i.e. a deadly weapon
an iron goad, for urging on oxen, horses and other beasts of burden
hence the proverb, "to kick against the goad", i.e. to offer vain and perilous or ruinous resistance
