malmignatte

noun

mal·​mi·​gnatte

¦malmə̇n¦yat

plural -s

: a small black venomous spider (Latrodectus tridecimguttatus) of southern Europe having 13 small red spots on the abdomen

Word History

Etymology

Italian malmignatta, from mal, malo bad (from Latin malus) + mignatta leech

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

1. Expanded definitions
2. Detailed etymologies
3. Advanced search tools
4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now