I. ˈweb noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old Norse vefr web, Old English wefan to weave
Date: before 12th century
1. : a fabric on a loom or in process of being removed from a loom
2.
a. : cobweb , spiderweb
b. : a network of silken thread spun especially by the larvae of various insects (as a tent caterpillar) and usually serving as a nest or shelter
3. : a tissue or membrane of an animal or plant ; especially : that uniting fingers or toes either at their bases (as in humans) or for a greater part of their length (as in many waterbirds)
4.
a. : a thin metal sheet, plate, or strip
b. : the plate connecting the upper and lower flanges of a girder or rail
c. : the arm of a crank
5. : something resembling a web:
a. : snare , entanglement
a web of intrigue
ensnarled in a web of folly — D. A. Stockman
b. : an intricate pattern or structure suggestive of something woven : network
a web of little roads
a complex web of relationships
6. : the series of barbs on each side of the shaft of a feather : vane
7.
a. : a continuous sheet of paper manufactured or undergoing manufacture on a paper machine
b. : a roll of paper for use in a rotary printing press
8. : the part of a ribbed vault between the ribs
9. capitalized : World Wide Web
• webbed ˈwebd adjective
• web·like ˈweb-ˌlīk adjective
II. verb
( webbed ; web·bing )
Date: 1604
intransitive verb
: to construct or form a web
transitive verb
1. : to cover with a web or network
2. : ensnare , entangle
3. : to provide with a web