scorpion

plural scorpions · alternative archaic skorpion

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,

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Deuteronomy 8:15

   1 more example

   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.

   1869, Alfred Russel Wallace, The Malay Archipelago, volume II, London: Macmillan and Co., page 258

2. historicalAn ancient military engine for hurling stones and other missiles.
3. figurativelyA 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. obsoletebiblicalA 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.

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 1 Kings 12:11

1. astrologyThe constellation and zodiacal sign Scorpius.

   The Scorpion keepeth the Bladder, Buttocks, and other privatives [sic] of Man or Woman.

   1668, ‘Godfridus’, The Knowledge of Things Unknown, London: G.P. for G. Sawbridge, page 20

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   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 […]

   1667, John Milton, “(please specify the page number)”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC

   Ras Alhague is […] nearly due north of Lesath, in the tail of the Scorpion, at the distance of 51 degrees: […]

   1821, Thomas Kerigan, The young navigator's guide to the sidereal and planetary parts of nautical astronomy, page 73

   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.

   1882, Robert Brown, On a German Astronomico-astrological Manuscript, and on the Origin of the Signs of the Zodiac, London: J.B. Nichols and Sons, page 8

   The Ram, the Bull, the heavenly Twins, And next the Crab, the Lion shines, The Virgin and the Scales; The Scorpion, Archer, and Sea-Goat, The Man that carries the Water-pot, And Fish with glittering scales.

   1893, E. W. Bullinger, Witness of the Stars, London: The author, page 16

   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.

   1924, EM Forster, A Passage to India, Penguin, published 2005, page 123

plural Scorpions

1. astrologySomeone 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.

   1947 November 14, Mountain District Free Press and Frentree Gully News, Tecoma, Vic., page 8, column 2

1. not comparableastrologyOf or relating to the Scorpio star sign.