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Glite Dictionary
Phalangium opilio

Phalangium opilio

9.9
A small round animal like a spider with very long thin legs often called a daddy longlegs
  • noun
  • /fəˈlændʒiəm oʊˈpɪlioʊ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Falangium opilio
  • The Phalangium opilio is often mistaken for a spider due to its long legs.

Examples

  • You may find a Phalangium opilio in your garden during late summer.

  • Scientists studied the behavior of Phalangium opilio in different environments.

  • I saw a Phalangium opilio in the garden yesterday.

  • The Phalangium opilio is often mistaken for a spider.

  • You may find a Phalangium opilio in your garden during late summer.

  • The Phalangium opilio is often mistaken for a spider due to its long legs.

  • Scientists studied the behavior of Phalangium opilio in different environments.

Synonyms

daddy longlegs
vsPhalangium opilio
  • UK
3.2

A small animal like a spider, not a fly, with a round body and very long thin legs

is the single scientific species name for one member of that group

Surface Forms

Phalangium opilio singular
Phalangium opilios plural

Morphology

Phalangium + opilio

This is a Latin binomial (a scientific species name) functioning as a conventional label rather than a compositional English phrase; its meaning ('a species of harvestman / daddy longlegs') cannot be predicted from the parts. One constituent is not a standard English word ('opilio' is undefined) and even 'Phalangium' is a technical genus name, so a B1 learner knowing the parts would not reliably infer the referent.

Etymology

Phalangium opilio may come from old words that create a clear picture: Phalangium suggests 'finger' because of the very long, thin legs, and opilio may mean 'shepherd'. So the name helps you remember this small, round-bodied creature with very long legs, the animal often called 'daddy longlegs'.