What does scorpion mean?
A scorpion is an arachnid, meaning it is related to spiders and ticks rather than being an insect. It has four pairs of walking legs, a pair of pincer-like front appendages called pedipalps, and a segmented tail ending in a venomous stinger. Scorpions are nocturnal predators found in many warm, dry habitats, although some species live in moist forests or caves. Most can deliver a painful and potentially medically significant sting, but they generally avoid people and use their venom primarily to subdue prey. Some species fluoresce under ultraviolet light, producing a striking blue-green glow. The word can also describe a treacherous or malicious person, a figurative comparison based on the animal’s potentially dangerous sting. Scorpions occur in literature, mythology, heraldry, and astrology, where the zodiacal sign Scorpio is represented by the creature. In ordinary modern usage, however, the word most often denotes the animal itself.
nounA venomous arachnid with four pairs of walking legs, two pincer-like pedipalps, and a segmented tail ending in a stinging structure. Figuratively, it can refer to a person regarded as dangerous, malicious, or treacherous.
- Any arachnid of the order Scorpiones, characterized by pincer-like pedipalps and a segmented tail ending in a venomous stinger.
- A person regarded as treacherous, malicious, or dangerous.
"The scorpion hid beneath a loose stone near the trail."
"A scorpion slipped beneath the porch while the family was eating dinner."
"The novel portrays the ambitious minister as a political scorpion who destroys anyone who threatens him."
The standard plural adds -s to the singular noun.
"Several scorpions were sheltering beneath the rocks."
Under ultraviolet light, many scorpions glow an eerie blue-green, revealing a hidden radiance in their exoskeletons.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of scorpion
The English word came through Old French scorpion, from Latin scorpio, whose genitive was scorpionis. Latin scorpio was borrowed from Greek skorpios, the ancient Greek name for the animal and the source of related forms such as Scorpio, scorpionic, and scorpioid. The same root also underlies the zodiacal and astronomical names for the constellation represented by the scorpion.
Related word forms
How scorpion is actually used
The zoological term is neutral and standard. Figurative use is comparatively uncommon and strongly disparaging, describing someone as venomous, dangerous, or untrustworthy.