tarantula

ta·ran·tu·la

noun \tə-ˈranch-(ə-)lə, -ˈrant-^əl-ə\

plural ta·ran·tu·las also ta·ran·tu·lae \-ˈran-chə-ˌlē, -ˈrant-^əl-ˌē\

Definition of TARANTULA

1

: a European spider (Lycosa tarentula of the family Lycosidae) popularly held to be the cause of tarantism

2

: any of a family (Theraphosidae) of large hairy American spiders that are typically rather sluggish and capable of biting sharply though most forms are not significantly poisonous to humans

Illustration of TARANTULA