| scorpene | <zoology> A marine food fish of the genus Scorpaena, as the European hogfish (S. Scrofa), and the California species (S. Guttata). Origin: F. Scorpene, fr. L. Scorpaena a kind of fish, Gr. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
|---|---|
| scorpio | Origin: L. 1. <zoology> A scorpion. 2. <astronomy> The eighth sign of the zodiac, which the sun enters about the twenty-third day of October, marked thus [<scorpio/] in almanacs. A constellation of the zodiac containing the bright star Antares. It is drawn on the celestial globe in the figure of a scorpion. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| scorpiodea | <zoology> Same as Scorpiones. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| scorpioid | Of a cymose inflorescence, branching alternately on one side and then the other. Compare: helicoid. (09 Oct 1997) |
| scorpion | 1. <zoology> Any one of numerous species of pulmonate arachnids of the order scorpiones, having a suctorial mouth, large claw-bearing palpi, and a caudal sting. 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. <zoology> The pine or gray lizard (Sceloporus undulatus). 3. <zoology> The scorpene. 4. A painful scourge. "My father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions." (1 Kings xii. 11) 5. <astronomy> A sign and constellation. See Scorpio. 6. An ancient military engine for hurling stones and other missiles. Book scorpion. <zoology> A neuropterous insect of the genus Panorpa. See Panorpid. <botany> Scorpion grass, the star Antares in the constellation Scorpio. Origin: F, fr. L. Scorpio, scorpius, Gr, perhaps akin to E. Sharp. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| scorpion venoms | Venoms from animals of the order scorpionida of the class arachnida. They contain neuro- and haemotoxins, enzymes, and various other factors that may release acetylcholine and catecholamines from nerve endings. Of the several protein toxins that have been characterised, most are immunogenic. (12 Dec 1998) |
| scorpiones | <zoology> A division of arachnids comprising the scorpions. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| Scorpionida | The scorpions; an order of venomous, predaceous, arachnid arthropods characterised by a distinctly segmented bony abdomen terminating in a sharply recurved stinging spine equipped with a poison gland; causes a severely painful but rarely fatal sting. North American genera include Centruroides, Hadrurus, and Vejovis. Origin: Mod. L. (05 Mar 2000) |
| scorpionidea | <zoology> Same as Scorpiones. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| scorpions | Arthropods of the order scorpiones, of which 1500 to 2000 species have been described. The most common live in tropical or subtropical areas. They are noctural and feed principally on insects and other arthropods. They are large arachnids but do not attack man spontaneously. They have a venomous sting. Their medical significance varies considerably and is dependent on their habits and venom potency rather than on their size. at most, the sting is equivalent to that of a hornet but certain species possess a highly toxic venom potentially fatal to humans. (12 Dec 1998) |
| scorpionwort | <botany> A leguminous plant (Ornithopus scorpides) of Southern Europe, having curved pods. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |