arachnid
noun
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The term arachnid refers to a class of animals that includes spiders, scorpions, mites, and ticks. Most arachnids have a segmented body divided into two regions, with the front part bearing four pairs of legs, but no antennae. They have a hard external skeleton and range in size from the mite, which is 0.003-in (0.08-mm) long, to the 8-in (21-cm) black scorpion of Africa. As arachnids grow, they molt, or shed their skin, several times. Arachnids are primarily carnivorous, but most are unable to digest food internally, instead they inject their prey with digestive fluids, then suck the liquefied remains. Arachnids are found worldwide in nearly every habitat. Some mites and ticks are parasitic and can carry diseases. Venomous spiders and scorpions also may pose a danger to humans, but most arachnids are harmless and prey only on insects.
Examples of arachnid in a Sentence
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2024
Joro spiders are large and brightly colored arachnids with a body span of up to 4 inches, according to The Pennsylvania State University.
—Katie Wiseman, The Indianapolis Star, 26 Sep. 2024
This repellent can last up to 12 weeks without reapplication, repelling insects and arachnids.
—Megan Newton, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Sep. 2024
The deep-water species belongs to a group of animals known as arthropods—an incredibly diverse group of invertebrates with jointed limbs and a hard shell known as an exoskeleton, which includes arachnids, insects and crustaceans, as well as extinct animals like trilobites.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024
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“Arachnid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arachnid. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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arachnid
noun
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