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View synonyms for

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

/ ˈɔːɪə /

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

“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

Scorpion

2

/ ˈɔːɪə /

noun

  1. 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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Other Word Forms

  • scorpionic adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of scorpion1

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Latin ǰ辱ō- (stem of ǰ辱ō ), equivalent to scorp(ius) “scorpion” (from Greek ǰíDz ) + -ō- noun suffix, perhaps after 辱ō (stem 辱ōn- ) “butterfly,” or ٱō (stem ٱōn- ) “gecko”
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Word History and Origins

Origin of scorpion1

C13: via Old French from Latin ǰ辱ō, from Greek skorpios, of obscure origin
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

At one degree, you were just shy of being born in Scorpio season, an energy echoed in the placement of your Venus in the eighth house of the underworld, traditionally associated with the scorpion.

From

Adventuring parties pour in, lured by gold and glory, but quickly learn that success hinges less on brute strength than on how well you can cook a scorpion.

From

In “Star Wars,” it’s kind of a flying scorpion.

From

“There were so many dangers, like snakes and scorpions.”

From

"We were laid on the floor under a piece of tarpaulin with a scorpion literally two feet away, it could kill me," he said.

From

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