cross spider

English

a cross spider

Alternative forms

• cross-spider

Etymology

From cross + spider, from the common marking found on their backs.

Noun

cross spider (plural cross spiders)

1. The European garden spider (Araneus diadematus).
   • 1960, Gottfried Keller, translated by AM Holt, Green Henry, Calder Publications, published 2010, page 69:

     I gazed at the defenceless captives with a shuddering sense of security, until one day a cross-spider broke out of its cage and ran furiously over my hands and clothing.

Translations

European garden spider — see European garden spider