scorpion

[ skawr-pee-uhn ]

See synonyms for scorpion on Thesaurus.com

noun

any of numerous arachnids of the order Scorpionida, widely distributed in warmer parts of the world, having a long, narrow, segmented tail that terminates in a venomous sting.
the Scorpion, Astronomy. Scorpius.

any of various harmless lizards, especially the red- or orange-headed males of certain North American skinks.
Bible. a whip or scourge that has spikes attached. 1 Kings 12:11.

Origin of scorpion

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Latin scorpiōn- (stem of scorpiō ), equivalent to scorp(ius) “scorpion” (from Greek skorpíos ) + -iōn- noun suffix, perhaps after pāpiliō (stem pāpiliōn- ) “butterfly,” or stelliō (stem stelliōn- ) “gecko”

Other words from scorpion

scor·pi·on·ic [skawr-pee-on-ik], /ˌskɔr piˈɒn ɪk/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use scorpion in a sentence

The teeth of beasts, and scorpions, and serpents, and the sword taking vengeance upon the ungodly unto destruction.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version | Various
Centipedes and scorpions, as well as mosquitoes and other insects, are also less common than in most tropical countries.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3 | Various
He says also, that he saw many serpents of a much inferior size, and asps and large scorpions.
The Geography of Strabo, Volume III (of 3) | Strabo
The bite of those scorpions has been known to prove mortal in two hours.
The Expeditions of Zebulon Montgomery Pike, Volume II (of 3) | Elliott Coues
They therefore exhibit themselves as eating red-hot iron, scorpions and prickly cactus.
Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, Volume 11, No. 24, March, 1873 | Various

British Dictionary definitions for scorpion (1 of 2)

scorpion

/ (ˈskɔːpɪən) /

noun

any arachnid of the order Scorpionida, of warm dry regions, having a segmented body with a long tail terminating in a venomous sting
false scorpion any small nonvenomous arachnid of the order Pseudoscorpionida (or Chelonethida), which superficially resemble scorpions but lack the long tail: See book scorpion

any of various other similar arachnids, such as the whip scorpion, or other arthropods, such as the water scorpion
Old Testament a barbed scourge (I Kings 12:11)
history a war engine for hurling stones; ballista

Origin of scorpion

C13: via Old French from Latin scorpiō, from Greek skorpios, of obscure origin

British Dictionary definitions for Scorpion (2 of 2)

Scorpion

/ (ˈskɔːpɪən) /

noun

the Scorpion the constellation Scorpio, the eighth sign of the zodiac

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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