Araneidae
|A-ra-nei-dae|
/ˌærəˈniːdiː/
orb-weaver spider family
Etymology
'Araneidae' originates from New Latin (Modern Latin), specifically the word 'Araneidae', where the genus name 'Araneus' (from Latin 'aranea') meant 'spider'.
'Araneidae' changed from the Latin/Medieval Latin root 'aranea' (meaning 'spider') and the genus name 'Araneus', and eventually became the modern taxonomic family name 'Araneidae'.
Initially, the root meant 'spider' generally, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'the family of orb-weaver spiders' in scientific taxonomy.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a family of spiders (order Araneae) commonly known as orb-weavers; includes many species that build circular (orb) webs.
Araneidae includes many common orb-weaver species that build circular webs in gardens and forests.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/02 13:05