Spider
/ˈspaɪ.dər/noun
A small eight-legged arachnid that spins silk webs.
Did you know?The English word spider comes from Old English spiðra/spīthra, tied to an ancient Germanic root meaning “to spin,” which is why its name is basically a nod to web-making.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*spei-
“To spin, twist, or draw out threads.”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*spīþrō / *spīdrō
“A spider or spinner.”
Old English
OE
spiðra
“Spider.”
Middle English
ME
spider / spithre
“Spider.”
Modern English
English
spider
“An eight-legged arachnid that spins silk webs.”