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whip-scorpion

whip-scorpion

9.9
An animal like a scorpion with a long thin tail and no sting
  • noun
  • /ˈwɪpˌskɔrpɪən/
translation icon : escorpión látigo
  • Unlike true scorpions, a whip-scorpion does not possess venom or a stinger.

Examples

  • The whip-scorpion captured in the garden startled the children because of its long tail.

  • Many people confuse the harmless whip-scorpion with dangerous arachnids due to its appearance.

  • Look at that whip-scorpion!

  • The whip-scorpion is often mistaken for a scorpion.

  • The whip-scorpion is harmless and has a long, thin tail that makes it look like a scorpion.

  • Many people mistake a whip-scorpion for a venomous creature, but it poses no threat to humans.

  • In tropical regions, you can often find a whip-scorpion hiding under leaves or rocks.

Synonyms

whip scorpion
vswhip-scorpion
9.6

A small animal like a spider with a long thin tail and no sting

means the same but is written with a hyphen

Surface Forms

whip-scorpion singular

Morphology

whip-scorpion = whip + scorpion (transparent) = whip + scorpion

The compound directly combines 'whip' and 'scorpion' to denote a scorpion-like arachnid with a whip-like tail, which is readily inferable from the parts.

Etymology

Whip-scorpion joins whip ('a long, thin lash') and scorpion ('a small animal with a stinger') because the creature has a long, thin tail like a whip and a scorpion-like body. So, the name sounds dangerous, but a whip-scorpion is harmless and has no stinger.