spider-eating
|spi-der-eat-ing|
🇺🇸
/ˈspaɪdərˌiːtɪŋ/
🇬🇧
/ˈspaɪdəˌiːtɪŋ/
feeds on spiders
Etymology
'spider-eating' is a Modern English compound formed from 'spider' + the present participle 'eating'.
'spider' ultimately goes back to Old English (e.g. 'spīþra'/'spīðra') meaning 'spider', and 'eat' comes from Old English 'etan'; the compound 'spider-eating' is a straightforward modern formation combining these elements.
Initially a literal compound meaning 'eating spiders'; the meaning has remained essentially the same, used both descriptively (adjective) and nominally.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the act of eating spiders, or an organism that eats spiders.
Spider-eating is uncommon among songbirds, but some species do it occasionally.
Synonyms
Adjective 1
feeding on spiders; that eats spiders.
The spider-eating bird specialized in hunting in narrow crevices.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/01 12:10