ărānĕa, ae, f. [ἀράχνη].
I A spider : aranearum perdere texturam, Plaut. Stich. 2, 2, 24: antiquas exercet aranea telas, Ov. M. 6, 145: tela aranearum, Vulg. Job, 8, 14; so ib. Isa. 59, 5; ib. Osee, 8, 6: araneae textura, Sen. Ep. 121: invisa Minervae aranea, Verg. G. 4, 247: anni nostri sicut aranea meditabuntur, Vulg. Psa. 89, 10.—
II Meton.
A A spider's web , cobweb : (aedes) oppletae araneis, Plaut. Aul. 1, 2, 6: ut aranea bratteaque auri, Lucr. 4, 727: arcula plena aranearum, Afran. ap. Fest. s. v. tanne, p. 154 Müll. (Com. Rel. p. 217 Rib.): Catulli Plenus sacculus est aranearum, Cat. 13, 8: summo quae pendet aranea tigno, Ov. M. 4, 179; Claud. Rapt. Pros. 3, 158.—
B Also, for threads similar to spiders’ webs : salicis fructus ante maturitatem in araneam abit, Plin. 24, 9, 37, § 56.