rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryarachnidEight-legged invertebrate
noun

arachnid

uh-RAK-nid/əˈræknɪd/

An eight-legged animal with a hard outer covering, such as a spider or scorpion.

The spider is an arachnid with eight clearly visible legs.

A single anatomically accurate spider viewed from above, its eight legs clearly separated and countable, making the defining arachnid anatomy immediately visible.
Etymology
arachnidFrencharachnid

The French zoological name, or its Latin counterpart, supplied English with a word based on Greek “spider.” This spider-name labels a broader animal class that also includes scorpions and ticks.

In context

Nat Geo Kids0:04
the amazing tarantula what's furry scary and has eight legs oh hello no I'm not talking about your Auntie Susan I'm talking about the tarantula a large hairy spider or arachnid
Tarantula 🕷️ | Amazing Animals

More examples

  • The arachnid had eight legs.
  • The exhibit compared several arachnids.
  • She identified the scorpion as an arachnid.

Forms

arachnid · arachnids

Similar words

insect
An insect has six legs; an arachnid has eight in its adult form.
arthropod
Arthropod is the broader group with jointed limbs and an outer skeleton; arachnids are one part of it.