I. A spider: “aranearum perdere texturam,” Plaut. Stich. 2, 2, 24: “antiquas exercet aranea telas,” Ov. M. 6, 145: “tela aranearum,” Vulg. Job, 8, 14; so ib. Isa. 59, 5; “ib. Osee, 8, 6: araneae textura,” Sen. Ep. 121: “invisa Minervae aranea,” Verg. G. 4, 247: “anni nostri sicut aranea meditabuntur,” Vulg. Psa. 89, 10.—
II. Meton.
A. A spider's web, cobweb: “(aedes) oppletae araneis,” Plaut. Aul. 1, 2, 6: “ut aranea bratteaque auri,” Lucr. 4, 727: “arcula plena aranearum, Afran. ap. Fest. s. v. tanne, p. 154 Müll. (Com. Rel. p. 217 Rib.): Catulli Plenus sacculus est aranearum,” Cat. 13, 8: “summo quae pendet aranea tigno,” Ov. M. 4, 179; Claud. Rapt. Pros. 3, 158.—
B. Also, for threads similar to spiders' webs: “salicis fructus ante maturitatem in araneam abit,” Plin. 24, 9, 37, § 56.
