Cobweb Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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cobweb
[ËkÉb.wÉb ]
Definition
spider web
A cobweb is a spider's web, especially an old one that is no longer used and covered with dust.
Synonyms
entanglement, spider web, web.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| cobweb |
Often used to describe old, dusty spider webs that are found in abandoned or rarely used spaces.
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| spider web |
Refers specifically to the intricate structure created by spiders and is often used in scientific or natural contexts.
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| web |
Can refer to any woven structure created by spiders, as well as metaphorically to any complex system or network, such as the internet.
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| entanglement |
Usually refers to something being very complicated or a situation where things are mixed together and hard to separate. It can also have a more abstract or metaphorical sense.
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Examples of usage
- The old house was full of cobwebs in every corner.
- I almost walked into a cobweb while exploring the attic.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Cultural Significance
- In folklore, cobwebs are often associated with mystery and haunted houses, enhancing the spookiness of ghost stories.
- Many cultures believe that seeing a cobweb can bring good luck or signify the presence of the supernatural.
Science
- Cobwebs are made of silk produced by spiders, which is incredibly strong and elastic â even stronger than steel of the same thickness.
- Different spider species create distinct types of webs, such as orb webs, funnel webs, and sheet webs, each designed for specific hunting methods.
Art and Literature
- Cobwebs are a common motif in art, symbolizing decay and neglect but also the intricate beauty of nature.
- In Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', the character named Cobweb is a fairy, illustrating the whimsical connection between fairytales and spider webs.
Psychology
- Cobwebs can evoke feelings of fear or disgust in many people, often associated with dirt and abandoned places.
- Studies suggest that fear of spiders (arachnophobia) may cause heightened anxiety when encountering cobwebs, linking fear to evolutionary survival instincts.
Origin of 'cobweb'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'cobweb' comes from the Old English 'cob' meaning 'spider' and 'webb' meaning 'web'.
- Originally, the term referred to a spider's web specifically made by cobweb spiders, which are also called tangle webs.
The word 'cobweb' originally comes from the Middle English 'coppe web', which means 'spider web'. The term evolved over time to become 'cobweb'. Cobwebs have been associated with old, abandoned places and are often used symbolically in literature and art to represent neglect or the passage of time.