scorpio, ōnis (poet. collat. forms scorpius and -os, i, corresp. to the Greek), m., = σκορπίων, σκορπίος, a scorpion. Lit., Plin. 11, 37, 62, § 86; 28, 2, 5, § 24; 29, 4, 29, § 91; Vulg. Deut. 8, 15.

—In the form scorpius, Ov. M. 15, 371 scorpios, id. F. 4, 164; acc. scorpion, id. ib. 5, 541.

— Transf. The Scorpion, one of the signs of the zodiac.

—Form Scorpios, Cic. poet. N. D. 2, 44, 113; id. Arat. 208 and 430; Ov. M. 2, 196; Hyg. Astr. 2, 26; acc. Scorpion, Ov. M. 2, 83.

—Form Scorpio, Petr. 39, 11; 35, 4: Scorpionis ascensus, Vulg. Num. 34, 4.

— A kind of prickly sea-fish: Cottus scorpio, Linn.; Plin. 32, 11, 53, § 151; cf. Petr. 35, 4; in the form scorpios, Ov. Hal. 116.

— A prickly plant, scorpion - wort, scorpion - grass: Spartium scorpius, Linn.; Plin. 22, 15, 17, § 39.

— A shrub, also called tragos, Plin. 27, 13, 116, § 142; 13, 21, 37, § 116.

— A military engine for throwing darts, stones, and other missiles, a scorpion, Veg. Mil. 4, 22; Amm. 23, 4, 4; Caes. B. G. 7, 25; Sall. Fragm. ap. Non. 553, 24 (Hist. 3, 36 Dietsch); Liv. 26, 47; 26, 49; Vitr. 10, 1; in the form scorpius, Sisenn. ap. Non. 553, 25; Vulg. 1 Macc. 6, 51.

— In the agrimensores, a heap of stones terminating in a point, and used as a boundary-mark, Sic. Fl. pp. 4 and 6 Goes.

— An instrument of torture, Isid. 5, 27, 18; cf. Vulg. 3 Reg. 12, 14; id. 2 Par. 10, 11.