scorpion
/ˈskɔɹ.pi.ən/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.37 in modern English
12
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
3
Syllables
7
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
Any of the order Scorpiones of arachnids related to spiders, characterised by two large front pincers and a curved tail with a venomous sting at the end.
noun
An ancient military engine for hurling stones and other missiles.
noun
A very spiteful or vindictive person.
noun
A cheerleading move in which one foot is pulled back and held up with both hands while the performer stands on the other foot.
name
The constellation and zodiacal sign Scorpius.
Example Sentences
- "Who led thee through that great and terrible wildernesse, wherein were fierie serpents, and scorpions, & drought, where there was no water, who brought thee foorth water out of the rocke of flint,"
- "I have caught them under my pillow and on my head; while in every box, and under every board which has lain for some days undisturbed, little scorpions are sure to be found snugly ensconced, with their formidable tails quickly turned up ready for attack or defence."
- "And now whereas my father did lade you with a heauy yoke, I wil adde to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whippes, but I will chastise you with scorpions."
- "And now thir way to Earth they had descri'd, / To Paradise first tending, when behold / Satan in likeness of an Angel bright / Betwixt the Centaure and the Scorpion stearing / His Zenith, while the Sun in Aries rose […]"
- "The Scorpion keepeth the Bladder, Buttocks, and other privatives [sic] of Man or Woman."
- "Ras Alhague is […] nearly due north of Lesath, in the tail of the Scorpion, at the distance of 51 degrees: […]"
Etymology
Etymology tree Ancient Greek σκορπῐ́ος (skorpĭ́os)bor. Latin scorpiōbor. Old English sċorpio ▲ Old French escorpioninflu. Middle English scorpioun English scorpion 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. Displaced native Old English þrōwend (“scorpion”).
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: scorpioun, sċorpio, scorpïun, scorpïon, scorpiō, σκορπίος
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈskɔɹ.pi.ən/
- British English: /ˈskɔː.pi.ən/