Main Entry: ta·ran·tu·la

Pronunciation: \tə-ˈranch-(ə-)lə, -ˈrant-^əl-ə\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural ta·ran·tu·las also ta·ran·tu·lae \-ˈran-chə-ˌlē, -ˈrant-^əl-ˌē\

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

[tarantula illustration]