scorpion

[skawr-pee-uhn]

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. Astronomy.,  the Scorpion, Scorpius.

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

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

scorpion

¹

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

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

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

5. history a war engine for hurling stones; ballista

Scorpion

²

/ ˈskɔːpɪən /

noun

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

Other Word Forms

• scorpionic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of scorpion¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of scorpion¹

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

Example Sentences

The five officers, who are all black, were members of the Memphis police department's Scorpion Task Force, a since-disbanded street unit that was tasked with bringing down crime levels in the city.

From BBC

Nowadays, there’s one 31-site campground about half a mile’s walk from Scorpion Anchorage.

From Los Angeles Times

Camarillo’s Brayden Smith, a receiver and kicker, was also the starting second baseman for the Scorpions’ Southern Section championship baseball team.

From Los Angeles Times

They belonged to a number of criminal organisation, including The Scorpions, a group of hitmen working for the Gulf Cartel.

From BBC

For the Scorpion, first they wanted to showcase the wonderful American Wagyu program from Mishima Reserve and tried to figure out a dazzling presentation.

From Seattle Times