orb weaver

American  

noun

1. any of numerous spiders of the family Argiopidae, characterized by loosely woven, spiraling webs that have support lines radiating outward from the center.

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Etymology

Origin of orb weaver

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

“Free the Air” is a concert in four movements, with recordings of the activity of various spider species — the tropical tent-web spider, the golden silk orb weaver, a Mexican jumping spider, the African social spider and the red-legged golden orb weaver — transformed into vibrations.

From New York Times

So thank your backyard orb weaver for feasting on these annoying bugs during your next barbecue.

From Scientific American

These finely honed death traps come in many forms, from the trampoline-like construction of the sheet web spider, to the instantly recognizable filigree of the orb weaver.

From New York Times

In fact golden orb weaver males are so small they are often mistaken for offspring.

From National Geographic

Jones studies social behavior in the orb weaver spiders that his undergraduate students collect near their East Tennessee State University campus.

From Scientific American