Scorpio

Etymology

It is borrowed from Latin scorpiō (“scorpion”), also the Latin name of the constellation,^[2][3][4][5] which is an extended form of scorpius,^[2] from Ancient Greek σκορπίος (skorpíos, “scorpion”).^[2][6] Etymonline derives the Greek from Proto-Indo-European *sker- (“to cut”).^[2] The same Latin word gave scorpion.^[4][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The constellation and the eighth sign of the zodiac: in 1398, in Trevisa's translation of Bartholomew de Glanville,^[3] with Etymonline's date of the late 14th century agreeing.^[2][5]

Semantic evolution

The sign stands between Libra and Sagittarius.^[3] Astrological use for those born under it came later: the OED has the word as an adjective from 1894,^[3] Etymonline dates "a person born under or ruled by the sign" to 1908,^[2] and the OED's first record of the noun is from Tom Wolfe in 1968.^[3] Since 1922 the International Astronomical Union has named the constellation Scorpius, which leaves Scorpio to astrology.^[2][5]

Timeline

• 1398 – the constellation and the eighth sign of the zodiac.^[3]
• 1894 – adjective, born under the sign.^[3]
• 1908 – a person born under or ruled by the sign.^[2]

Meanings

Noun

1. In astrology, the eighth sign of the zodiac, the Scorpion, associated with the period from about 23 October to 21 November.^[7][8][5]
2. A person born under this sign.^[5][8][3]
3. Another name for the constellation Scorpius.^[5][7]

Related words

• scorpion
• Scorpius
• Libra
• Sagittarius

References

1. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Oxford English Dictionary Online (accessed March 2026), Oxford: Oxford University Press
4. ^ a b Klein, Ernest. A Comprehensive Etymological Dictionary of the English Language. 2 vols. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 1966–1967.
5. ^ a b c d e f Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
6. ^ Partridge, Eric (1966), Origins: A Short Etymological Dictionary of Modern English, 4th ed., London: Routledge & Kegan Paul
7. ^ a b Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
8. ^ a b Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins