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Glite Dictionary
family Theridiidae

family Theridiidae

9.1
A group of spiders that includes house spiders and black widows
  • noun
  • Specialized
: familia Theridiidae
  • The notorious black widow spider belongs to the family Theridiidae.

Examples

  • Members of the family Theridiidae are known for spinning irregular, tangled webs.

  • Scientists recently discovered a new species in the family Theridiidae in South America.

  • The family Theridiidae includes many common spider species.

  • Many people fear the family Theridiidae due to the black widow.

  • The notorious black widow spider belongs to the family Theridiidae.

  • Members of the family Theridiidae are known for spinning irregular, tangled webs.

  • Many people fear the family Theridiidae due to their toxic species.

Synonyms

Theridiidae
vsfamily Theridiidae
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A group of spiders with a comb of small bristles on their rear legs

focuses on example species such as the common house spider and black widow

How Broad

kingdom
  • Specialized
31 4.8
phylum
  • Specialized
4 8.7
class
∞ 1.8
order
  • Specialized
7 7.5
family Theridiidae
  • Specialized
9.1
genus
2 7.5
species
  • Specialized
928 2.7

Surface Forms

family Theridiidae singular
families Theridiidae plural

Morphology

family + Theridiidae

The phrase is a straightforward composition of 'family' (a taxonomic grouping) and the taxon name 'Theridiidae', so its meaning — the spider family called Theridiidae — is directly derivable from the constituents. This 'family + taxon' pattern is a regular, cross-linguistic way to name biological groups, so a B1 learner who knows both words would understand it.

Etymology

Family Theridiidae is used for a group of 'comb-footed' spiders. They have a row of small hairs like a tiny comb on their back legs that they use to throw sticky silk and catch insects, so picturing a spider with a comb on its leg helps you remember this group's name and meaning.