arachne: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, Literary, Scientific
Quick answer
What does “arachne” mean?
Arachne is a mythological figure, a mortal weaver who challenged the goddess Athena and was turned into a spider.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Arachne is a mythological figure, a mortal weaver who challenged the goddess Athena and was turned into a spider.
The name 'Arachne' is used in scientific contexts as the root for terms relating to spiders and spider-like creatures (e.g., arachnid, arachnology). It can also be used poetically or allusively to refer to a masterful weaver or to themes of hubris and divine punishment.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Identical classical/mythological and scientific connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and specialized in both regions, confined to specific contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “arachne” in a Sentence
the myth of ArachneArachne, who...turned into ArachneVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in classics, literature, mythology, and biology (etymology of 'arachnid').
Everyday
Extremely rare; might appear in discussions of mythology or as a learned reference.
Technical
Used as the taxonomic/etymological root in zoology (arachnology).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “arachne”
- Mispronouncing the final 'e' (it's silent).
- Using it as a common noun for 'spider' (use 'arachnid' or 'spider' instead).
- Misspelling as 'Arackne' or 'Arakne'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency proper noun from Greek mythology, primarily encountered in literary, academic, or scientific (etymological) contexts.
'Arachnid' is derived from the Greek 'aráchnē', meaning spider, which comes from the name of the mythological figure Arachne, who was turned into a spider.
No, 'Arachne' is exclusively a proper noun. The related adjective is 'arachnidan' or the more common 'arachnid' (as in 'arachnid species').
The myth is a cautionary tale about hubris—the danger of excessive pride, especially in challenging or comparing oneself to the gods.
Arachne is a mythological figure, a mortal weaver who challenged the goddess Athena and was turned into a spider.
Arachne is usually formal, literary, scientific in register.
Arachne: in British English it is pronounced /əˈrækni/, and in American English it is pronounced /əˈrækni/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a modern Arachne”
- “to suffer the fate of Arachne”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Arachne was turned into a spider; think 'Arachne' -> 'Arachnid' (spiders).
Conceptual Metaphor
HUBRIS IS CHALLENGING A GOD; TRANSFORMATION IS PUNISHMENT.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary contemporary linguistic significance of 'Arachne'?