wolf spider

noun

any of numerous ground spiders of the family Lycosidae, including the southern European tarantula, Lycosa taretula, that hunt their prey instead of using a web.

Origin of wolf spider

First recorded in 1600–10

Words nearby wolf spider

wolf herring, wolf in sheep's clothing, wolf note, wolf number, wolf pack, wolf spider, wolf whistle, wolf-child, wolf-eel, wolf-ferrari, wolf-orton body

Example sentences from the Web for wolf spider

  • The tarantula is of the wolf-spider family, whose habit is to chase their prey, not lie in ambush.

    Chatterbox, 1906 |Various

  • There is the wolf-spider which, if a man passes near its lair, will leap out and pursue him, and bite him if it can.

    Furze the Cruel |John Trevena

  • With his fangs, this wolf-spider kills and crushes his victim; then he sucks the body dry and throws away the carcass.

    Book of Monsters |David Fairchild and Marian Hubbard (Bell) Fairchild

  • It is the wolf-spider that often appears at night within the circle of lamplight searching for nocturnal insects.

    Book of Monsters |David Fairchild and Marian Hubbard (Bell) Fairchild

British Dictionary definitions for wolf spider

wolf spider

noun

any spider of the family Lycosidae, which chase their prey to catch it Also called: hunting spider