spidery
spidery
UK[ˈspaɪdəri]US[ˈspaɪdəri]
adj
Resembling a spider or a spider's web in appearance; long, thin, and delicate like a spider's legs.
Morpheme Breakdown
spider
y
spider
spider
y
adjective-forming suffix
Etymology
The word "spidery" is a straightforward English formation, combining the noun "spider" with the adjectival suffix "-y". Its logic is transparent: it directly attributes the qualities associated with a spider—such as its long, thin, delicate legs or the intricate, filamentous pattern of its web—to other objects or shapes. The core noun "spider" itself has ancient Germanic roots, evolving from the Old English spīþra, which is linguistically linked to the verb "to spin," highlighting the creature's defining behavior. Thus, "spidery" elegantly captures the essence of the spider's form and function, extending it as a descriptive term for anything resembling its distinctive physical characteristics.
Analysis
Structure: spider (spider) + y (adjective-forming suffix)
- spider: From Old English spīþra, meaning "spider". The origin is related to the verb spinnan (to spin), referring to the creature's web-spinning activity.
- y: A productive English suffix of Old English origin, used to form adjectives meaning "characterized by; full of; having the quality of".
Examples
Her spidery handwriting was difficult to read.
The frost made spidery patterns on the windowpane.
He drew a map with spidery lines connecting the major cities.