spider

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Computing Technical

n. a computer program that automatically visits websites to collect information for search engines.

n. an automated script or program designed to methodically browse the World Wide Web for the purpose of web indexing.

“Search engines use a spider to find new pages and add them to their results.”

“The site's traffic spiked as a search engine spider began crawling the newly uploaded archives to index the content.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Sports Technical

n. a long stick with a metal head used to support your cue when the ball is hard to reach.

n. a cue rest with a high, arch-shaped head used to bridge over an obstructing ball.

“He had to use the spider to reach the cue ball at the far end of the table.”

“The player carefully positioned the spider to clear the intervening red ball, ensuring a stable bridge for the difficult long-range shot.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Cooking Technical

n. a kitchen tool with a long handle and a wire mesh basket used to lift food out of hot oil or water.

n. a long-handled skimmer with a wire mesh basket, used in deep-frying or boiling to retrieve food items.

“Use the spider to carefully lift the fried dumplings out of the hot oil.”

“The chef employed a stainless steel spider to scoop the blanched vegetables from the boiling water, allowing them to drain instantly.”

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun American English · Dialect

n. a drink made by putting a scoop of ice cream into a glass of fizzy soda.

n. a beverage consisting of a scoop of ice cream served in a glass of carbonated soft drink.

“On a hot afternoon, nothing is better than a lime soda spider with vanilla ice cream.”

“The children ordered chocolate spiders at the diner, watching with delight as the soda foamed over the rim of the glasses.”

C1 · Advanced Literary

v. to move or spread out in many directions like the legs of a spider.

v. to move or extend in a pattern resembling the radiating legs of a spider or a web.

“Cracks began to spider across the old windshield after the rock hit it.”

“Fine lines of frost began to spider across the windowpane as the temperature dropped well below freezing.”