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Noun: tarantula (tarantulas,tarantulae)  tu'ran-chu-lu
  1. Large southern European spider once thought to be the cause of tarantism (uncontrollable bodily movement)
    - European wolf spider, Lycosa tarentula
     
  2. Large hairy tropical spider with fangs that can inflict painful but not highly venomous bites

Derived forms: tarantulae, tarantulas

Type of: hunting spider, spider, wolf spider

Part of: family Theraphosidae, genus Lycosa, Lycosa, Theraphosidae

Encyclopedia: Tarantula