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English Lexicon

Tarantula

/təˈræn.tjʊ.lə/
nounCEFR C1 (Advanced)Top #8500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    A large, hairy spider belonging to the family Theraphosidae, found mainly in tropical and subtropical regions, known for its size and venomous bite that is rarely fatal to humans.

    "The large tarantula slowly crawled across the forest floor in search of its prey."
  2. 2

    Historically, a large wolf spider of Southern Europe whose bite was popularly thought to induce a manic dancing sickness.

    "Renaissance physicians debated the mysterious neurological effects attributed to the bite of the legendary Italian tarantula."
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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Derived from the Italian town of Taranto, where venomous wolf spiders (originally associated with tarantism, a dancing mania) were common. The name passed through Medieval Latin into English in the mid-17th century, eventually shifting its application from European wolf spiders to large New World mygalomorph spiders.

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