/ ˈskɔːpiən; NAmE ˈskɔːrp-/ noun
a small creature like an insect with six legs, two front claws (= curved and pointed arms) and a long tail that curves over its back and can give a poisonous sting. Scorpions live in hot countries.
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : via Old French from Latin scorpio(n-) , based on Greek skorpios scorpion.