waterscorpion

[ waw-ter-skawr-pee-uhn, wot-er- ]

/ ˈwɔ tərˌskɔr pi ən, ˈwɒt ər- /

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noun

any of several predaceous aquatic bugs of the family Nepidae, having clasping front legs and a long respiratory tube at the rear of the abdomen: capable of biting if handled.

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Origin of waterscorpion

First recorded in 1675–85; water + scorpion

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

How to use waterscorpion in a sentence

A water-scorpion which was put into a basin of water with several young tadpoles killed them all without attempting to eat one.
Country Walks of a Naturalist with His Children|W. Houghton
The Water Scorpion is a good representative of the Nepid, and has the distinguishing features of its tribe very strongly marked.
The Book of the Aquarium and Water Cabinet|Shirley Hibberd
Even the water-scorpion moved slowly over a sunny place from the roots of an arrow-head lily to a dark corner under the duck-weed.
Brothers of Pity and Other Tales of Beasts and Men|Juliana Horatia Gatty Ewing
There was very little left now for any one; even the water-scorpion had disappeared.
Brothers of Pity and Other Tales of Beasts and Men|Juliana Horatia Gatty Ewing

This is a water-scorpion, and his way of catching his prey and getting his air supply will be interesting to watch.
Cornell Nature-Study Leaflets|Various

British Dictionary definitions for waterscorpion

water scorpion

noun

any of various long-legged aquatic insects of the heteropterous family Nepidae, which breathe by means of a long spinelike tube that projects from the rear of the body and penetrates the surface of the water

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