NYT Dictionary

ARACHNID

/əˈɹæknɪd/
Nouna-RACH-nida-rach-nid · 3 syllablesGrade 7

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2019, 2021, 2023, 2025

Meaning

Any of the eight-legged creatures, including spiders, mites, and scorpions, of the class Arachnida.

Etymology

Origin: Latin

Etymology tree Ancient Greek ἀράχνη (arákhnē) Pre-Greekder. Ancient Greek -ῐς (-ĭs) Ancient Greek -ῐ́ς (-ĭ́s) Proto-Indo-European *-os Proto-Indo-European *-ēs Proto-Hellenic *-ēs Ancient Greek -ης (-ēs) Ancient Greek -ίδης (-ídēs)bor. Latin -idēsbor. Middle French -ide French -ide French arachnidebor. English arachnid From international scientific vocabulary, from French arachnide (1809, Lamarck), from New Latin, from Ancient Greek ἀράχνη (arákhnē, “spider”) with the suffix -id. By surface analysis, arachn- + -id.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

arachnidarachno-arachnoidbeetlebugcaterpillarcentipedeflyinsectlarva

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 2 recorded puzzles, including a pangram:

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