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Glite Dictionary
European spider crab

European spider crab

6.8
A large crab with long legs and a spiny shell that lives in European coastal waters
  • noun
  • UK
translation icon : cangrejo araña europeo
  • The European spider crab is distinguished by its long legs and spiny shell.

Examples

  • Several aquariums display the European spider crab to educate visitors about marine life in European waters.

  • The European spider crab can grow up to 12 inches wide.

  • Fishermen often find the European spider crab in the rocky shallows along the Atlantic coast.

  • Many European spider crabs inhabit the Mediterranean Sea.

  • Fishermen often find the European spider crab in the rocky shallows along the Atlantic coast.

  • Several aquariums display the European spider crab to educate visitors about marine life in European waters.

  • The European spider crab is distinguished by its long legs and spiny shell.

Synonyms

Maja squinado
vsEuropean spider crab
  • Specialized
9.9

A large crab with a spiny shell and long legs found in the Mediterranean Sea and nearby Atlantic waters

is the common name rather than the formal scientific name
spider crab
vsEuropean spider crab
6.3

A sea crab with very long legs and a small triangular body

is one specific large species found in European coastal waters

Surface Forms

European spider crab singular
European spider crabs plural

Morphology

European + spider + crab

The phrase is fully compositional: 'European' specifies origin and 'spider crab' is a compound naming a type of crab that resembles a spider. A B1 learner who knows 'European', 'spider', and 'crab' can reasonably infer it refers to a crab species from Europe, so the meaning is transparent.

Etymology

European spider crab is a large crab named because its very long, thin legs and spiny shell make it 'look like a spider', and it lives around the coasts of Europe. That's why the name refers to a big crab from Europe that 'looks like a spider'.