daddy-longlegs

or dad·dy long·legs

[ dad-ee-lawng-legz, -long- ]

/ ˈdæd iˈlɔŋˌlɛgz, -ˈlɒŋ- /

noun (used with a singular or plural verb)

Also called harvestman. any of numerous spiderlike arachnids of the order Opiliones, having a compact rounded body and extremely long, slender legs.

British. a crane fly.

QUIZZES

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PUNCTUATION QUIZ

Punctuation marks help make writing easy to read and understand. Some of the most important ones are the period (.), comma (,), question mark (?), and exclamation point (!). How well do you know how to use them? Find out in this quiz!

Question 1 of 10

Which punctuation mark is best for this sentence? "Can I watch a movie __"

comma (,)

period (.)

question mark (?)

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of daddy-longlegs

First recorded in 1805–15; daddy + long¹ + leg + -s³

Words nearby daddy-longlegs

dadah, dadd, daddah, daddy, daddy track, daddy-longlegs, daddy-o, dado, dado head, dadra and nagar haveli, dae

Example sentences from the Web for daddy-longlegs

Among them are the male cricket and "daddy-longlegs," both of which are reported to have been seen in a phosphorescent condition.
Poachers and Poaching|John Watson
"Oh, you haven't got to do anything," said the daddy-longlegs, with a chuckle.
The Other Side of the Sun|Evelyn Sharp
In Ireland "dapping" with the green drake or the daddy-longlegs is practised from boats on most of the big loughs.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Part 1, Slice 1|Various

British Dictionary definitions for daddy-longlegs

daddy-longlegs

noun

British an informal name for a crane fly

Australian, US and Canadian an informal name for harvestman (def. 2)

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