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brown recluse spider
noun
: a venomous spider (Loxosceles reclusa) especially of the southern and central U.S. that has a violin-shaped mark on the cephalothorax and produces a dangerous cytotoxin which can cause necrotic lesions
Examples of brown recluse spider in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
How to identify a brown recluse Purdue's guide says a mature brown recluse spider's leg span is about the size of a half dollar.
—Jenny Porter Tilley, The Indianapolis Star, 17 Sep. 2024
Other symptoms of a spider bite on the eyelid can include:
Bite marks
Headache
Itching
Tearing
While most spider bites are not serious, two types of spiders found in the United States that are dangerous are the brown recluse spider and the black widow.
—Andrew Greenberg, Verywell Health, 12 Sep. 2024
Wolf spiders and brown recluse spiders are often confused for one another because of the arachnids’ timid nature and motley combinations of browns, blacks and grays, according to Kapture Pest Control.
—Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 14 July 2024
Newsweek has previously mapped the habitat of the eastern diamondback rattlesnake, as well as the black widow and brown recluse spiders.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 10 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for brown recluse spider
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'brown recluse spider.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1962, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of brown recluse spider was
in 1962
Dictionary Entries Near brown recluse spider
Cite this Entry
“Brown recluse spider.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brown%20recluse%20spider. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
Kids Definition
brown recluse spider
noun
: a poisonous spider especially of the southern and central U.S. that has a dark violin-shaped mark on the front half of its back
Medical Definition
brown recluse spider
noun
: a venomous spider of the genus Loxosceles (L. reclusa) especially of the southern and central United States that produces a dangerous cytotoxin which can cause necrotic lesions
called also brown recluse
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