Anonymous  +  347147 Wed, 04 Apr 07 11:41 AM "The ICC's major sponsors do the bulk of their business in India and will be smarting at the team's exit with almost a month to go until the final on April 28." What does "smarting at" mean? Thanks in advance. Anonymous

	Lil' Ruby Rose  +  347189 Wed, 04 Apr 07 02:25 PM 'Smarting' literally means in pain - if you are smacked, it smarts.  In this context, the word is being used figuratively to suggest that the sponsors' business interests will suffer because the team is out of the series so early. Lil' Ruby Rose Joined on Wed, Dec 20 2006 Regular Member 879 Enlightenment is always preceded by confusion.

	Marius Hancu  +  347195 Wed, 04 Apr 07 02:50 PM LRR is right: --------- smarting    Etymology:from present participle of 1smart : that smarts : a : causing or marked by an acute stinging or cutting sensation <smarting pain> <a smarting wound> b : feeling or affected by sharp stinging pain <smarting eyes> or acute mental distress <smarting vanity> - smart·ing·ly adverb http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com ------------ In the context, I'd read that as:  .... they will be irritated at/by the team's exit Marius Hancu Joined on Wed, Apr 26 2006 Veteran Member 11,673 Verbs, Adverbs