Scor"pi*on (?), n. [F., fr. L.
scorpio, scorpius, Gr. &?;, perhaps akin to E.
sharp.] 1. (Zoöl.) Any one of
numerous species of pulmonate arachnids of the order Scorpiones,
having a suctorial mouth, large claw-bearing palpi, and a caudal
sting.
&fist; 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. (Zoöl.) The pine or gray lizard
(Sceloporus undulatus). [Local, U. S.]
3. (Zoöl.) 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.
5. (Astron.) A sign and constellation.
See Scorpio.
6. (Antiq.) An ancient military engine
for hurling stones and other missiles.
Book scorpion. (Zoöl.) See under
Book. -- False scorpion.
(Zoöl.) See under False, and Book
scorpion. -- Scorpion bug, or
Water scorpion (Zoöl.) See
Nepa. -- Scorpion fly
(Zoöl.), a neuropterous insect of the genus
Panorpa. See Panorpid. -- Scorpion
grass (Bot.), a plant of the genus
Myosotis. M. 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 (Zoöl.), any shell of
the genus Pteroceras. See Pteroceras. -- Scorpion
spiders. (Zoöl.), 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.
Scor"pi*on (?), n. [F., fr. L.
scorpio, scorpius, Gr. &?;, perhaps akin to E.
sharp.] 1. (Zoöl.) Any one of
numerous species of pulmonate arachnids of the order Scorpiones,
having a suctorial mouth, large claw-bearing palpi, and a caudal
sting.
&fist; 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. (Zoöl.) The pine or gray lizard
(Sceloporus undulatus). [Local, U. S.]
3. (Zoöl.) 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.
5. (Astron.) A sign and constellation.
See Scorpio.
6. (Antiq.) An ancient military engine
for hurling stones and other missiles.
Book scorpion. (Zoöl.) See under
Book. -- False scorpion.
(Zoöl.) See under False, and Book
scorpion. -- Scorpion bug, or
Water scorpion (Zoöl.) See
Nepa. -- Scorpion fly
(Zoöl.), a neuropterous insect of the genus
Panorpa. See Panorpid. -- Scorpion
grass (Bot.), a plant of the genus
Myosotis. M. 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 (Zoöl.), any shell of
the genus Pteroceras. See Pteroceras. -- Scorpion
spiders. (Zoöl.), 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.
