argyroneta
|ar-gy-ro-ne-ta|
🇺🇸
/ˌɑːrɡɪroʊˈnɛtə/
🇬🇧
/ˌɑːɡɪrəʊˈnɛtə/
silver swimmer (aquatic spider genus)
Etymology
'argyroneta' originates from Greek, specifically the elements 'argyros' and 'nētēs', where 'argyros' meant 'silver' and 'nētēs' meant 'swimmer'.
'argyroneta' was coined in modern (New Latin) scientific nomenclature by combining Greek elements 'argyros' + 'nētēs' to form a genus name used in zoological literature; it entered English usage as the taxonomic name 'argyroneta'.
Initially formed to mean 'silver swimmer' (reflecting appearance and aquatic habit), the term has been retained as a taxonomic name referring specifically to the genus rather than a literal descriptive phrase.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a genus name of spiders, best known for the species Argyroneta aquatica (the water spider) that constructs underwater silk 'diving bells' and spends much of its life submerged.
The genus Argyroneta includes the water spider, noted for living largely underwater inside a silk-lined air bubble.
Last updated: 2025/10/12 15:24