Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Scorpion
Scor′pi-on
,Noun.
[F., fr. L.
scorpio
, scorpius
, Gr. [GREEK], perhaps akin to E. sharp
.] 1.
(Zool.)
Any one of numerous species of pulmonate arachnids of the order
Scorpiones
, having a suctorial mouth, large claw-bearing palpi, and a caudal sting. ☞ Scorpions have a flattened body, and a long, slender post-abdomen formed of six movable segments, the last of which terminates in a curved venomous sting. The venom causes great pain, but is unattended either with redness or swelling, except in the axillary or inguinal glands, when an extremity is affected. It is seldom if ever destructive of life. Scorpions are found widely dispersed in the warm climates of both the Old and New Worlds.
2.
(Zool.)
The pine or gray lizard (
Sceloporus undulatus
). [Local, U. S.]
3.
(Zool.)
The scorpene.
4.
(Script.)
A painful scourge.
My father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with
scorpions
. 1 Kings xii. 11.
6.
(Antiq.)
An ancient military engine for hurling stones and other missiles.
Book scorpion
. (Zool.)
See under
– Book
. False scorpion
. (Zool.)
See under
– False
, and Book scorpion
. Scorpion bug
, or
Water scorpion
(Zool.)
See
– Nepa
. Scorpion fly
(Zool.)
, a neuropterous insect of the genus
– Panorpa
. See Panorpid
. Scorpion grass
(Bot.)
, a plant of the genus
– Myosotis
. Myosotis palustris
is the forget-me-not
. Scorpion senna
(Bot.)
, a yellow-flowered leguminous shrub (
– Coronilla Emerus
) having a slender joined pod, like a scorpion’s tail. The leaves are said to yield a dye like indigo, and to be used sometimes to adulterate senna. Scorpion shell
(Zool.)
, any shell of the genus Pteroceras. See
– Pteroceras
. Scorpion spiders
. (Zool.)
, any one of the Pedipalpi.
– Scorpion's tail
(Bot.)
, any plant of the leguminous genus
– Scorpiurus
, herbs with a circinately coiled pod; – also called caterpillar
. Scorpion's thorn
(Bot.)
, a thorny leguminous plant (
– Genista Scorpius
) of Southern Europe. The Scorpion's Heart
(Astron.)
, the star Antares in the constellation Scorpio.
Webster 1828 Edition
Scorpion
SCOR'PION
,Noun.
1.
In zoology, an insect of the genus Scorpio, or rather the genus itself, containing several species, natives of southern or warm climates. This animal has eight feet, two claws in front, eight eyes, three on each side of the thorax and two on the back, and a long jointed tail ending in a pointed weapon or sting. It is found in the south of Europe, where it seldom exceeds four inches in length. In tropical climates, it grows to a foot in length, and resembles a lobster. The sting of this animal is sometimes fatal to life.2.
In Scripture, a painful scourge; a kind of whip armed with points like a scorpion's tail. 1Kings 12.Malicious and crafty men, who delight in injuring others, are compared to scorpions. Ezek. 2.
3.
In astronomy, the eighth sign of the zodiac, which the sun enters, Oct. 23.4.
A sea fish. [L. scorpius.]Water scorpion, an aquatic insect of the genus Nepa.