scorpion

Meaning

1. Any of various arachnids of the order Scorpiones, related to the spiders, characterised by two large front pincers and a curved tail with a venomous sting in the end.
2. (historical) An ancient military engine for hurling stones and other missiles.
3. (figuratively) A very spiteful or vindictive person.
4. A cheerleading move in which one foot is pulled back and held up with both hands while the performer stands on the other foot.
5. (obsolete) A whip with points like a scorpion's tail.

Synonyms

Scorpio

centipede

crayfish

snake

🐍

spider

🕷️

crook-tailed

Translations

scorpion

🦂

Skorpion

🦂

escorpión

🦂

alacrán

🦂

scorpione

🦂

schorpioen

🦂

σκορπιός

escorpião

🦂

akrep

🦂

escorpí

🦂

عقرب

🦂

scorpio

🦂

lacrau

🦂

alacrà

🦂

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈskɔː.pi.ən/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: scorpioun

Inherited from Old English: sċorpio

In summary

From Middle English scorpioun, skorpioun, schorpion, schorpiun, partly from Old English sċorpio and partly from Anglo-Norman scorpïun, Old French scorpïon, escorpïon; all from Latin scorpiō, ultimately from Ancient Greek σκορπίος (skorpíos). The cheerleading move is so called because of the resemblance of the raised foot to a scorpion's stinger.