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Definition of arachnid
arachnid
/əˈræk.nɪd/
a · rach · nid
Plural:arachnids
•Adjective:arachnidan
arachnid Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
6
Tier
2
Usage
Top 10k
arachnid Game Scores & Validity
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Wordle Guess
• noun
1
A wingless, primarily terrestrial arthropod of the class Arachnida, such as a spider, scorpion, mite, or tick, typically characterized by having a body divided into two segments and four pairs of legs.
Example
"While cleaning out the old shed, the children discovered a large arachnid resting quietly in the corner of the ceiling."
Word Nuance & Usage
Arachnids are frequently confused with insects, but they are anatomically distinct; arachnids have eight legs and two main body segments, whereas insects have six legs, three body segments, and often wings.
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived in the mid-19th century from Modern Latin 'Arachnida', which stems from the Greek word 'arakhnē', meaning 'spider'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Arachnid. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/arachnid