ettercap Sc.
(ˈɛtəkæp)
Also 8 ethercap.
[var. form of attercop.]
1. A spider; = attercop 1.
2. fig. An ill-humoured person; = attercop 2.
| 1725 Ramsay Gentle Sheph. iv. i, 'Tis dafter like to thole An ether-cap like him to blaw the coal! c 1750 A. Robertson in Scott Wav. lxiv, A fiery etter-cap, a fractious chiel. 1820 Blackw. Mag. VIII. 15 That ettercap..is flying through the town like a shunky. 1840 Fraser's Mag. XXII. 478 A cool temper..I'm sure yon fiery ettercap has not. |
Hence ettercapped, ppl. a., inflicted by a spider.
| 1721 Ramsay Poems, To Gay xii, Ye may smile at ethercopit stings With careless pride. |