ˈwater-ˌspider
An aquatic spider of either of the genera Argyroneta or Dolomedes. In early use applied loosely to insects that move swiftly on the surface of water.
| 1552 Elyot's Dict., Tipula,..a water spider. 1626 Bacon Sylva §696 The Water-Spider that hath six Legs. 1710 Ray Hist. Insect. 71 De Tipula. The Water-Spider. c 1711 Petiver Gazophyl. i. Tab. 9 It's much slenderer and less than the common Water-Spider. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. VII. 263 The Water-spider..resembles the common spider in its appearance, except that its hinder part is made rather in the shape of a nine-pin than a ball. 1854 A. Adams etc. Man. Nat. Hist. 271 The diving-bell of the Water-Spider (Argyroneta aquatica). 1897 Edin. Rev. July 174 The water-spider, if but a day old, dives into the water. |