orb weaver

noun

: any of a family (Araneidae) of spiders that have eight similar eyes and typically spin a large elaborate wheel-shaped flat web and that includes large or brightly colored spiders (genera Araneus and Argiope) found in gardens

Examples of orb weaver in a Sentence

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Earlier this year, USA Today reported that orb weaver spiders also have another interesting skill: Trapping a firefly and using its glowing bulb to attract even more insects. Jenny Porter Tilley, The Indianapolis Star, 17 Sep. 2024 The researchers used the same method to study 22 Joro spiders, as well as 20 golden silk orb weaver spiders (Trichonephila clavipes), a North American species in the same genus. Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 12 Aug. 2024 Classified as orb weavers, the spiders catch prey using their giant, three-dimensional webs. Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 25 Feb. 2024 Like the individual threads of a tapestry, each strand in an orb weaver spider’s web works to capture food. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 18 Apr. 2023 The golden orb weaver under his microscope produces incredibly strong silk. Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Aug. 2023 Environment Science Learning more about the sticky glue that orb weaver spiders use to spin their webs could have wide scientific applications. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 18 Apr. 2023 For example, some orb weaver spiders adorn their webs with silk decorations. Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 6 June 2018 The kidney garden spider is a green orb weaver with white and black markings along its back. Hunter Boyce, ajc, 7 July 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of orb weaver was in 1883

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Cite this Entry

“Orb weaver.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orb%20weaver. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

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