tarantula etymology

Etymology:

The word "tarantula" has its roots in two different languages:

• Italian: "tarantella," a type of fast-paced dance
• Neapolitan Italian: "tarántola," a type of spider

Meaning:

A large, hairy spider with long, venomous fangs, typically found in South America and Mexico.

Origin:

The term "tarantula" was first used around 1500 to describe the European wolf spider (Lycosa tarantula), a large and aggressive spider found in southern Europe.

Historical Significance:

In the 16th and 17th centuries, people in southern Italy believed that the bite of a tarántola caused a condition known as "tarantism." Symptoms of tarantism included extreme pain, hallucinations, and an uncontrollable urge to dance. People would often gather for days at a time to dance and play music in an attempt to "cure" the victim.

However, modern science has debunked the idea of tarantism. Tarantula bites are not typically fatal, and the symptoms of tarantism are more likely caused by psychological factors or other medical conditions.

Modern Usage:

Today, the term "tarantula" is used to refer to a group of large, hairy spiders belonging to the family Theraphosidae. These spiders are characterized by their size, long fangs, and venom, which can be painful but is rarely fatal to humans.

tarantula relate terms

• tarantella

  Etymology The word tarantella comes from the Italian city of Taranto in the southern re

• tarantula

  Etymology The word tarantula has its roots in two different languages Italian tar

• bird

  Etymology The word bird has its roots in Old English where it was spelled bridd or

• spider

  Etymology The word spider originates from the Middle English spither c 1200 deri

• wolf

  Etymology Old English wulf Proto Germanic wulfaz Proto Indo European root wĺ̥kʷ

• John

  Etymology Hebrew יוחנן Yōḥānān Meaning God is gracious or Yahweh i

• consumption

  Etymology Old French consumpcion Latin consumptionem past participle of consumere t

• theme

  Etymology The word theme derives from the Greek word thema θέμα which means s

• deal

  Etymology The word deal comes from the Old English word dæl which means part port

• missionary

  Etymology Latin missionarius from missīo sending forth expedition Old French

• Spam

  Etymology The term spam is a portmanteau of spiced ham a canned meat product sold b