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Arachne

[uh-rak-nee]
noun Classical Mythology.
  1. a Lydian woman who challenged Athena to a weaving contest and was changed into a spider for her presumption.
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Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for arachne

Historical Examples

  • In all Lydia there was none who could weave as wove the beautiful Arachne.

    A Book of Myths

    Jean Lang

  • Not for one moment did she delay, but took her place by the side of Arachne.

  • Furiously, too, with her shuttle of boxwood she smote Arachne.

  • Arachne, humiliated by the blow, and unable to avenge it, hanged herself in despair.

    Quilts

    Marie D. Webster

  • The weaving of Arachne's web is pictured with especial power.

British Dictionary definitions for arachne

Arachne

noun
  1. Greek myth a maiden changed into a spider for having presumptuously challenged Athena to a weaving contest
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Word Origin

from Greek arakhnē spider
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012