scorpion

noun

1. 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.

   “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,”

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.

   “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.”

6. Someone with the Scorpio star sign.

   “No racketting around and cocktail parties for those born under the influence of the Water-carrier and the Archer. No nylons for Scorpions.”

name

1. The constellation and zodiacal sign Scorpius.

   “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: […]”

   “The Crab and the Scorpion much resemble each other, as indeed they do in many other instances, the former being a reduplication of the latter.”

   “Smiling proudly, he glanced outward at the country, which was still invisible except as a dark movement in the darkness; then upwards at the sky, where the stars of the sprawling Scorpion had begun to pale.”

adj

1. (not-comparable)Of or relating to the Scorpio star sign.