5. (Mach.) A skeleton, or frame, having radiating arms or members,
often connected by crosspieces; as, a casting forming the hub and
spokes to which the rim of a fly wheel or large gear is bolted; the
body of a piston head; a frame for strengthening a core or mold for a
casting, etc.
Spider ant. (Zoöl.) Same as Solitary ant, under Solitary. -- Spider
crab (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of maioid crabs having a more
or less triangular body and ten long legs. Some of the species grow to
great size, as the great Japanese spider crab (Macrocheira Kempferi),
measuring sometimes more than fifteen feet across the legs when they
are extended. -- Spider fly (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of
parasitic dipterous insects of the family Hippoboscidæ. They are mostly
destitute of wings, and live among the feathers of birds and the hair
of bats. Called also bird tick, and bat tick. -- Spider hunter (Zoöl.),
any one of several species of East Indian sunbirds of the genus
Arachnothera. -- Spider lines, filaments of a spider's web crossing the
field of vision in optical instruments; -- used for determining the
exact position of objects and making delicate measurements. Fine wires,
silk fibers, or lines on glass similarly placed, are called spider
lines. -- Spider mite. (Zoöl.) (a) Any one of several species of
parasitic mites of the genus Argas and allied genera. See Argas. (b)
Any one of numerous small mites injurious to plants. -- Spider monkey
(Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of South American monkeys of the
genus Ateles, having very long legs and a long prehensile tail. --
Spider orchis (Bot.), a European orchidaceous plant (Ophrys aranifera),
having flowers which resemble spiders. -- Spider shell (Zoöl.), any
shell of the genus Pteroceras. See Pteroceras.
Spi"dered (?), a. Infested by spiders; cobwebbed. Wolcott.
Spi"der*like` (?), a. Like a spider. Shak.
{ Spi"der web" (?), or Spi"der's web" }. (Zoöl.) The silken web which
is formed by most kinds of spiders, particularly the web spun to entrap
their prey. See Geometric spider, Triangle spider, under Geometric, and
Triangle.
Spi"der*wort` (?), n. (Bot.) An American endogenous plant (Tradescantia
Virginica), with long linear leaves and ephemeral blue flowers. The
name is sometimes extended to other species of the same genus.
Spied (?), imp. & p. p. of Spy.
||Spie"gel*ei`sen (?), n. [G. spiegel mirror + eisen iron.] See Spiegel
||iron.
Spie"gel i`ron (?). [G. spiegel mirror + E. iron.] (Metal.) A fusible
white cast iron containing a large amount of carbon (from three and a
half to six per cent) and some manganese. When the manganese reaches
twenty-five per cent and upwards it has a granular structure, and
constitutes the alloy ferro manganese, largely used in the manufacture
of Bessemer steel. Called also specular pig iron, spiegel, and
spiegeleisen.
Spight (?), n. & v. Spite. [Obs.] Spenser.