scorpion
[ skawr-pee-uh n ]
/ ˈskɔr pi ən /
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. I Kings 12:11.
Origin of scorpion
1175–1225; Middle English < Latin
scorpiōn- (stem of
scorpiō), equivalent to
scorp(ius) scorpion (< 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/, adjectiveWords nearby scorpion
scorpaenid,
scorpaenoid,
scorper,
scorpio,
scorpioid,
scorpion,
scorpion fish,
scorpion fly,
scorpion grass,
scorpion spider,
scorpionfish
Example sentences from the Web for scorpion
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
Word Origin for 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