English Explanatory Dictionary

daddy longlegs

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. The cranefly; any insect of the suborder Tipulomorpha.
  2. Any (non-spider) arachnid of the order Opiliones, mostly with long thin legs.
  3. The daddy long-legs spider, any spider of the family Pholcidae.

Pronunciation

/ˈdædɪ ˈlɒŋ(ɡ)lɛɡz/ EN-AU ck1 daddy longlegs.ogg

Word forms

daddy longlegs daddy longlegses daddy-longlegs daddy-long-legs

Etymology

From daddy + longlegs. First attested in 1810s. Preceded by father longlegs, attested from 1740s.

Synonyms

cranefly tipulid harvestman granddaddy longlegs grandfather-graybeard harry-longlegs harvest spider shepherd spider cellar spider

Derived words

daddy long-legs spider granddaddy longlegs
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