argiope
|ar-gi-o-pe|
🇺🇸
/ɑrˈdʒi.oʊpi/
🇬🇧
/ɑːˈdʒɪəpi/
bright-faced → orb-weaver spider
Etymology
'Argiope' originates from Greek, specifically the name 'Argiope' (Ἀργιόπη), where 'argos' meant 'shining' or 'bright' and 'ops' meant 'face'.
'Argiope' was originally an ancient Greek proper name. The name was later adopted in New Latin as the scientific genus name for certain orb-weaver spiders and has remained in use in modern taxonomy as 'Argiope'.
Initially it meant 'bright-faced' as a personal name; over time it evolved into a scientific genus name referring to a group of orb-weaver spiders.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a genus of large orb-weaver spiders (family Araneidae), often building conspicuous webs with a zigzag stabilimentum.
An argiope sat in the center of its web, the stabilimentum glinting in the sun.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/12 12:21