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tarantula

noun ta·ran·tu·la \ tə-ˈran-chə-lə , -tə-lə ; -ˈranch-lə , -ˈrant- \
|Updated on: 7 Jul 2018

Definition of tarantula

plural tarantulas also tarantulae play \tə-ˈran-chə-ˌlē, -tə-ˌlē; -ˈranch-ˌlē, -ˈrant-\
1 : a European wolf spider (Lycosa tarentula) popularly held to be the cause of tarantism
2 : any of various large, hairy, American spiders (family Theraphosidae) that are typically rather sluggish and capable of biting sharply though most forms are not significantly poisonous to humans

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Recent Examples of tarantula from the Web

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Origin and Etymology of tarantula

Medieval Latin, from Old Italian tarantola, from Taranto

TARANTULA Defined for English Language Learners

tarantula

noun

Definition of tarantula for English Language Learners

  • : a large, hairy spider that lives in warm regions

TARANTULA Defined for Kids

tarantula

noun ta·ran·tu·la \ tə-ˈran-chə-lə \

Definition of tarantula for Students

: a large hairy spider of warm regions of North and South America whose bite may be painful but is usually not serious to humans except for a few South American species

Medical Dictionary

tarantula

noun ta·ran·tu·la \ tə-ˈranch-(ə-)lə , -ˈrant-ᵊl-ə \

medical Definition of tarantula

plural tarantulas also tarantulae play \-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

Illustration of tarantula

illustration of tarantula

Learn More about tarantula

  1. Spanish Central: Translation of tarantula Nglish: Translation of tarantula for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tarantula

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