black widow

black widow

n.

1. Any of several venomous spiders of the genus Latrodectus, the females of which have a black shiny body with red markings, often in the shape of an hourglass on the abdomen, and can inflict a dangerous bite.

2. A woman who kills her husband or lover, especially one who kills multiple husbands or lovers.

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[From the fact that the female sometimes eats its mate.]

black widow

or

black widow spider

n

(Animals) an American spider, Latrodectus mactans, the female of which is black with red markings, highly venomous, and commonly eats its mate

black′ wid′ow

n.

1. a venomous black spider, Latrodectus mactans, of warm regions, including the U.S.: the female has an hourglass-shaped red mark on the underside of the abdomen.

2. any venomous spider of the cosmopolitan genus Lactrodectus.

[1910–15]

black widow

A very poisonous spider, the female of which has a black body, typically with a red, hourglass-shaped mark on the underside. The female often eats the male after mating.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

black widow - venomous New World spider; the female is black with an hourglass-shaped red mark on the underside of the abdomen Latrodectus mactans spider - predatory arachnid with eight legs, two poison fangs, two feelers, and usually two silk-spinning organs at the back end of the body; they spin silk to make cocoons for eggs or traps for prey genus Latrodectus, Latrodectus - venomous spiders

Translations

black widow

n viuda negra