ˈspaɪdə n. & v. --n. 1 a
any eight-legged
arthropod of
the order Araneae
with a
round unsegmented
body,
many of
which spin webs
for the
capture of insects as
food. b any of
various similar or
related arachnids, e.g. a
red spider. 2 any
object comparable to a spider,
esp. as having
numerous or
prominent legs or radiating spokes. 3
Brit. a radiating
series of
elastic ties used to hold a
load in
place on a
vehicle etc. --v.intr. 1
move in a scuttling
manner suggestive of a spider (fingers spidered
across the map). 2
cause to move or
appear in
this way. 3 (as spidering adj.) spiderlike in
form, manner, or
movement (spidering streets). øspider crab any of various crabs of the
family Majidae with a pear-shaped body
and long
thin legs. spider
monkey any S.
American monkey of the
genus Ateles, with long limbs and a
prehensile tail. spider
plant any of various
house plants with long
narrow striped leaves. øøspiderish adj. [OE spithra (as SPIN)]
