Tarantula
/təˈræn.tʃə.lə/noun
A large spider, especially one of the wolf spider family; also used for certain New World mygalomorph spiders.
Did you know?The word originally referred to a spider associated with Taranto, Italy, and its name became tied to the bizarre “tarantism” outbreak—where dance was believed to cure the bite.
Etymological Timeline
Late Latin
LL
tarantula
“A spider associated with Taranto, Italy”
Medieval Italian
Italian
tarantola
“A kind of venomous spider, especially one feared in southern Italy”
16th Century
French
tarentule
“Spider name borrowed from Italian”
16th Century
English
tarantula
“A spider, originally the European spider then later transferred to New World species”
Modern English
English
tarantula
“Any of several large, hairy spiders”
Explore more surprising origins