n. & v.
n. 1 a any eight-legged arthropod of the order Araneae with a round unsegmented body, many of which spin webs for the capture of insects as food. b any of various similar or related arachnids, e.g. a red spider. 2 any object comparable to a spider, esp. as having numerous or prominent legs or radiating spokes. 3 Brit. a radiating series of elastic ties used to hold a load in place on a vehicle etc.
v.intr. 1 move in a scuttling manner suggestive of a spider (fingers spidered across the map). 2 cause to move or appear in this way. 3 (as spidering adj.) spiderlike in form, manner, or movement (spidering streets). spider crab any of various crabs of the family Majidae with a pear-shaped body and long thin legs. spider monkey any S. American monkey of the genus Ateles, with long limbs and a prehensile tail. spider plant any of various house plants with long narrow striped leaves. spiderish adj.
[ OE spithra (as SPIN) ]