Syn. — Aromatic; fragrant; smart; pungent; pointed; keen. See Racy.
Spider
(Spi"der) n.[OE. spiþre, fr. AS. spinnan to spin; — so named from spinning its web; cf. D. spin a
spider, G. spinne, Sw. spindel. Seee Spin.]
1. (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of arachnids comprising the order Araneina. Spiders have the
mandibles converted into poison fangs, or falcers. The abdomen is large and not segmented, with two
or three pairs of spinnerets near the end, by means of which they spin threads of silk to form cocoons,
or nests, to protect their eggs and young. Many species spin also complex webs to entrap the insects
upon which they prey. The eyes are usually eight in number and are situated on the back of the cephalothorax.
See Illust. under Araneina.
Spiders are divided into two principal groups: the Dipneumona, having two lungs: and the Tetrapneumona,
having four lungs. See Mygale. The former group includes several tribes; as, the jumping spiders the
wolf spiders, or Citigradæ the crab spiders, or Laterigradæ the garden, or geometric, spiders, or Orbitellæ
(see under Geometrical, and Garden), and others. See Bird spider, under Bird, Grass spider, under
Grass, House spider, under House, Silk spider, under Silk.
2. (Zoöl.) Any one of various other arachnids resembling the true spiders, especially certain mites, as
the red spider
3. An iron pan with a long handle, used as a kitchen utensil in frying food. Originally, it had long legs,
and was used over coals on the hearth.
4. A trevet to support pans or pots over a fire.
5. (Mach.) A skeleton, or frame, having radiating arms or members, often connected by crosspieces; as,
a casting forming the hub and spokes to which the rim of a fly wheel or large gear is bolted; the body of
a piston head; a frame for strengthening a core or mold for a casting, etc.
Spider ant. (Zoöl.) Same as Solitary ant, under Solitary. — Spider crab (Zoöl.), any one of numerous
species of maioid crabs having a more or less triangular body and ten long legs. Some of the species
grow to great size, as the great Japanese spider crab measuring sometimes more than fifteen feet across
the legs when they are extended. — Spider fly (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of parasitic dipterous
insects of the family Hippoboscidæ. They are mostly destitute of wings, and live among the feathers of
birds and the hair of bats. Called also bird tick, and bat tick. — Spider hunter (Zoöl.), any one of
several species of East Indian sunbirds of the genus Arachnothera. — Spider lines, filaments of a
spider's web crossing the field of vision in optical instruments; — used for determining the exact position
of objects and making delicate measurements. Fine wires, silk fibers, or lines on glass similarly placed,
are called spider lines. — Spider mite. (Zoöl.) (a) Any one of several species of parasitic mites of
the genus Argas and allied genera. See Argas. (b) Any one of numerous small mites injurious to
plants. — Spider monkey (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of South American monkeys of the
genus Ateles, having very long legs and a long prehensile tail. — Spider orchis (Bot.), a European
orchidaceous plant having flowers which resemble spiders. — Spider shell (Zoöl.), any shell of the
genus Pteroceras. See Pteroceras.
Spidered
(Spi"dered) a. Infested by spiders; cobwebbed. Wolcott.
Spiderlike
(Spi"der*like`) a. Like a spider. Shak.
Spider web
(Spi"der web" or Spi"der's web"). (Zoöl.) The silken web which is formed by most kinds of
spiders, particularly the web spun to entrap their prey. See Geometric spider, Triangle spider, under
Geometric, and Triangle.
