Main Entry: scor·pi·on

Pronunciation: \ˈskȯr-pē-ən\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French eskorpiun, from Latin scorpion-, scorpio, from Greek skorpios

Date: 12th century

1 a : any of an order (Scorpionida) of nocturnal arachnids that have an elongated body and a narrow segmented tail bearing a venomous stinger at the tip b capitalized : scorpio
2 : a scourge probably studded with metal
3 : something that incites to action like the sting of an insect <the scorpions of absolute necessity — Arnold Bennett>

[scorpion illustration]