First Known Use: 1561
Dictionary
tarantula
noun ta·ran·tu·la \tə-ˈran-chə-lə, -tə-lə; -ˈranch-lə, -ˈrant-\
: a large, hairy spider that lives in warm regions
plural ta·ran·tu·las also ta·ran·tu·lae \-ˌlē\
Full Definition of TARANTULA
1
: a European wolf spider (Lycosa tarentula) 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
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Origin of TARANTULA
Medieval Latin, from Old Italian tarantola, from Taranto
TARANTULA Defined for Kids
tarantula
noun ta·ran·tu·la \tə-ˈran-chə-lə\
Definition of TARANTULA for Kids
: 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\
plural ta·ran·tu·las also ta·ran·tu·lae \-ˈran-chə-ˌlē, -ˈrant-əl-ˌē\
Medical 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
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