scorpion

[ skawr-pee-uhn ]
See synonyms for scorpion on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. 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.

  2. the Scorpion, Astronomy. Scorpius.

  1. any of various harmless lizards, especially the red- or orange-headed males of certain North American skinks.

  2. Bible. a whip or scourge that has spikes attached. 1 Kings 12:11.

Origin of scorpion

1
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

Words Nearby scorpion

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How to use scorpion in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for scorpion (1 of 2)

scorpion

/ (ˈskɔːpɪən) /


noun
  1. any arachnid of the order Scorpionida, of warm dry regions, having a segmented body with a long tail terminating in a venomous sting

  2. false scorpion any small nonvenomous arachnid of the order Pseudoscorpionida (or Chelonethida), which superficially resemble scorpions but lack the long tail: See book scorpion

  1. any of various other similar arachnids, such as the whip scorpion, or other arthropods, such as the water scorpion

  2. Old Testament a barbed scourge (I Kings 12:11)

  3. history a war engine for hurling stones; ballista

Origin of scorpion

1
C13: via Old French from Latin scorpiō, from Greek skorpios, of obscure origin

British Dictionary definitions for Scorpion (2 of 2)

Scorpion

/ (ˈskɔːpɪən) /


noun
  1. the Scorpion the constellation Scorpio, the eighth sign of the zodiac

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