Definitions for: Tarantula


[n] large hairy tropical spider that can inflict painful but not highly venomous bites
[n] large southern European spider once thought to be the cause of tarantism (uncontrollable bodily movement)



Webster (1913) Definition: Ta*ran"tu*la, n.; pl. E. Tarantulas, L.
Tarantul[ae]. [NL., fr. It. tarantola, fr. L. Tarentum, now
Taranto, in the south of Italy.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of several species of large spiders, popularly
supposed to be very venomous, especially the European species
(Tarantula apuli[ae]). The tarantulas of Texas and adjacent
countries are large species of Mygale. [Written also
tarentula.]

Tarantula killer, a very large wasp (Pompilus formosus),
which captures the Texan tarantula (Mygale Hentzii) and
places it in its nest as food for its young, after
paralyzing it by a sting.

Synonyms: European wolf spider, Lycosa tarentula

See Also: family Theraphosidae, genus Lycosa, hunting spider, Lycosa, spider, Theraphosidae, wolf spider

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