tarantula
pronunciation
How to pronounce tarantula in British English:
UK [təˈræntʃələ]
How to pronounce tarantula in American English:
US [təˈræntʃələ]
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- Noun:
- large southern European spider once thought to be the cause of tarantism (uncontrollable bodily movement)
- large hairy tropical spider that can inflict painful but not highly venomous bites
Word Origin
- tarantula (n.)
- 1560s, "wolf spider," (Lycos tarantula), from Medieval Latin tarantula, from Italian tarantola, from Taranto "Taranto," seaport city in southern Italy in the region where the spiders are frequently found, from Latin Tarentum, from Greek Taras (genitive Tarantos; perhaps from Illyrian darandos "oak"). Its bite is only slightly poisonous. Popularly applied to other great hairy spiders, especially the genus Mygale, native to the warmer regions of the Americas (first so called in 1794).
Example
- 1. He had also concealed a tarantula in his bag .
- 2. Holding a big tarantula in my hands !
- 3. Then I reach into your pocket and pull out a tarantula .
- 4. There ben found squirrels to feed and a tarantula to observe .
- 5. A tarantula , she says , will " stroke the female 's legs " to ensure she is receptive .