Cobweb: meaning, definitions and examples
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cobweb
[ˈkɒb.wɛb ]
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.
|
Examples of usage
- The old house was full of cobwebs in every corner.
- I almost walked into a cobweb while exploring the attic.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- 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.
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 – 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.
Translations
Translations of the word "cobweb" in other languages:
🇵🇹 teia de aranha
🇮🇳 मकड़ी का जाला
🇩🇪 Spinnennetz
🇮🇩 jaring laba-laba
🇺🇦 павутина
🇵🇱 pajęczyna
🇯🇵 クモの巣
🇫🇷 toile d'araignée
🇪🇸 telaraña
🇹🇷 örümcek ağı
🇰🇷 거미줄
🇸🇦 شبكة العنكبوت
🇨🇿 pavučina
🇸🇰 pavučina
🇨🇳 蜘蛛网
🇸🇮 pajčevina
🇮🇸 köngulóarvefur
🇰🇿 өрмекші торы
🇬🇪 ობობის ქსელი
🇦🇿 hörümçək toru
🇲🇽 telaraña