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spiderlike

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spi⋅der

[spahy-der]
–noun
1. any of numerous predaceous arachnids of the order Araneae, most of which spin webs that serve as nests and as traps for prey.
2. (loosely) any of various other arachnids resembling or suggesting these.
3. any of various things resembling or suggesting a spider.
4. a frying pan, originally one with legs or feet.
5. a trivet or tripod, as for supporting a pot or pan on a hearth.
6. Machinery.
a. a part having a number of radiating spokes or arms, usually not connected at their outer ends.
b. Also called cross. (in a universal joint) a crosslike part pivoted between the forked ends of two shafts to transmit motion between them.
7. a computer program that automatically retrieves Web pages for use by search engines.
8. an evil person who entraps or lures others by wiles.
9. a device attached to a cultivator, for pulverizing the soil.

Origin:
bef. 1150; ME spithre, OE spīthra, akin to spinnan to spin; c. Dan spinder


spi⋅der⋅less, adjective
spi⋅der⋅like, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Word Origin & History

spider 
O.E. spiþra, from P.Gmc. *spenthro (cf. Dan. spinder), from *spenwanan "to spin" (see spin). The connection with the root is more transparent in other Gmc. cognates (cf. M.L.G., M.Du., M.H.G., Ger. spinne, Du. spin "spider"). In literature, often a figure of cunning, skill, and industry as well as poisonous predation. As the name for a type of two-pack solitaire, it is attested from 1890. Another O.E. word for the creature was gangewifre "a weaver as he goes." Spiderweb is first recorded 1535; spidery is first recorded 1825. Spider plant is from 1852; spider crab is from 1710; spider monkey is from 1764, so called for its long limbs.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Financial Dictionary

spider

See Standard & Poor's Depositary Receipt.

Wall Street Words: An A to Z Guide to Investment Terms by David L. Scott.
Copyright © 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: spi·der
Pronunciation: 'spId-&r
Function: noun
1 : any of an order (Araneae syn. Araneida) of arachnids having a body with twomain divisions, four pairs of walking legs, and two or more pairs of abdominal spinnerets for spinning threads of silk used especially in making webs for catching prey
2 : SPIDER NEVUS spider>
3 : an obstruction in the teat of a cow; especially : a small irregular horny growth resulting from irritation or bruising
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

spider spi·der (spī'dər)
n.

  1. Any of numerous arachnids of the order Araneae, having a body divided into a cephalothorax bearing eight legs, two poison fangs, and two feelers and an unsegmented abdomen bearing several spinnerets that produce the silk used to make nests, cocoons, or webs for trapping insects.

  2. An arterial spider.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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