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.

Arachne

/ əˈræknɪ /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of Arachne¹

from Greek arakhnē spider

Example Sentences

Berger and Batzoglou developed the prototype for one such tool, called the Arachne sequence assembler.

From MIT Technology Review

All around were amazed, and trembled before the glorious Minerva, except the angry Arachne.

From Project Gutenberg

All the beholders saw that Minerva had surpassed Arachne, and felt that the proud girl must be punished for her pride and impiety.

From Project Gutenberg

But Arachne still thought she could excel the goddess in weaving, and, as Minerva said no more, the contest began.

From Project Gutenberg

Arachne showed Leda and the swan, and Europa and the bull, with such fidelity to nature that they seemed to move and breathe.

From Project Gutenberg

But Arachne only grew bolder, and said openly that she would not be afraid to challenge the goddess to a contest.

From Project Gutenberg