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arachnoid: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

C2
UK/əˈræk.nɔɪd/US/əˈræk.nɔɪd/

Technical/Scientific

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Quick answer

What does “arachnoid” mean?

Relating to or resembling a spider or spiders.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

Relating to or resembling a spider or spiders.

1. In anatomy: a delicate, web-like membrane that is one of the three meninges covering the brain and spinal cord. 2. In zoology: belonging to the class Arachnida, which includes spiders, scorpions, mites, and ticks.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.

Connotations

Identical technical connotations in both medical and zoological fields.

Frequency

Equally low-frequency and specialised in both varieties.

Grammar

How to Use “arachnoid” in a Sentence

The arachnoid (mater) lies between...An arachnoid cyst was detected...belonging to the arachnoid class

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
arachnoid materarachnoid membranearachnoid cystarachnoid granulation
medium
subarachnoid spacearachnoid villiarachnoiditis
weak
arachnoid layerdelicate arachnoidspinal arachnoid

Examples

Examples of “arachnoid” in a Sentence

adjective

British English

  • The surgeon carefully incised the arachnoid layer.
  • He has a special interest in arachnoid physiology.

American English

  • The MRI showed an arachnoid cyst.
  • Arachnoid anatomy is covered in the first-year course.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Virtually never used.

Academic

Used in medical, biological, and anatomical papers and textbooks.

Everyday

Extremely rare. Might be used by hobbyist entomologists or in medical discussions.

Technical

The primary domain. Standard term in neurology, neurosurgery, and zoological taxonomy.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “arachnoid”

Neutral

spider-likearachnid

Weak

web-likefilmy

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “arachnoid”

vertebratemammalian

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “arachnoid”

  • Mispronouncing as /ˌærəkˈnɔɪd/.
  • Using it as a general synonym for 'creepy' or 'scary'.
  • Confusing the 'arachnoid mater' with the 'dura mater' or 'pia mater'.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

No, it is a low-frequency, specialised term used almost exclusively in medical and biological contexts.

It is the middle of the three membranes (meninges) that cover the brain and spinal cord. It is named for its spider-web-like appearance.

Not in standard English. It is not an idiomatic descriptor for a person's appearance or character.

The word derives from Greek 'aráchnē', meaning spider. It literally means 'spider-like'. The anatomical membrane was so named because of its delicate, web-like structure.

Relating to or resembling a spider or spiders.

Arachnoid is usually technical/scientific in register.

Arachnoid: in British English it is pronounced /əˈræk.nɔɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /əˈræk.nɔɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of Arachne, the weaver from Greek myth who was turned into a spider. 'Arachnoid' contains 'arachn-' like 'arachnid' (spiders) and '-oid' meaning 'resembling'.

Conceptual Metaphor

THE BRAIN IS PROTECTED BY LAYERS (where one layer is a delicate web).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
The delicate, web-like middle layer of the meninges is called the mater.
Multiple Choice

In which field is the term 'arachnoid' MOST commonly used?

arachnoid: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples | Lingvocore