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brown recluse spider
noun
: a venomous spider (Loxosceles reclusa) especially of the southern and central U.S. that has a violin-shaped mark on the cephalothorax and produces a dangerous cytotoxin which can cause necrotic lesions
Examples of brown recluse spider in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
It is commonly thought that hobo and brown recluse spiders cause necrotic bites in this state, when in fact the brown recluse is not found in Oregon and the hobo spider does not cause necrotic bites.
—oregonlive, 18 July 2023
Chilean Recluse Spider The Chilean recluse spider is one of the most venomous spiders on the planet and is closely related to the brown recluse spider.
—Tim MacWelch, Outdoor Life, 3 May 2023
Deaths from brown recluse spiders have been reported only in children younger than seven years.
—Tim MacWelch, Outdoor Life, 3 May 2023
Things are no less calm inside Beau’s apartment, where a sign on the door informs tenants of an infestation of brown recluse spiders.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Apr. 2023
Sean has always found solace in the mountains but even more so after his older brother died suddenly from a brown recluse spider bite when Sean was 16.
—Kate Siber, Outside Online, 9 Nov. 2022
As for the infamous brown recluse spider, its range is in the south-central United States, nowhere near here.
—Erin Middlewood | The Columbian, oregonlive, 30 Oct. 2022
Venomous spider bites tend to look a bit more concerning, though; for example, a brown recluse spider bite can turn purple-ish, which means the skin tissue is dying.
—Kirsten Nunez, SELF, 23 Sep. 2022
However, the brown recluse spider is a dangerous exception.
—al, 28 June 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'brown recluse spider.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1962, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of brown recluse spider was
in 1962
Dictionary Entries Near brown recluse spider
Cite this Entry
“Brown recluse spider.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brown%20recluse%20spider. Accessed 23 May. 2024.
Kids Definition
brown recluse spider
noun
: a poisonous spider especially of the southern and central U.S. that has a dark violin-shaped mark on the front half of its back
Medical Definition
brown recluse spider
noun
: a venomous spider of the genus Loxosceles (L. reclusa) especially of the southern and central United States that produces a dangerous cytotoxin which can cause necrotic lesions
called also brown recluse
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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