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black widow
black widow poisonous spider of the genus Latrodectus, found throughout North and South America and common in the SW United States. The name derives from the fact that the female, like those of many other spider species, may eat the male after mating. The adult is black with a red or reddish-orange hourglass-shaped marking on the lower abdominal surface. The female is somewhat less than 1/2 in. (1.3 cm) long, and the male is much smaller. The bite venom is a neurotoxin and may cause a severe reaction with intense local pain that spreads to other parts of the body. Occasional fatal cases, which result from respiratory paralysis, are usually limited to children. The most effective treatment is an antivenin. Black widow spiders are classified in the phylum Arthropoda , class Arachnida, order Araneae, family Theridiidae. |
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"black widow." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "black widow." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-blackwid.html "black widow." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-blackwid.html |
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black widow
black widow A JAVA APPLET which carries out some malicious act on your computer: for example, carrying out a DENIAL OF SERVICE ATTACK by running in a loop for a long time and tying up valuable computer resources. Such programs are introduced into a system via the WEB PAGE on which they reside. A black widow is also known as a MALICIOUS APPLET. See also CRAPPLET. It is also the name of a METASEARCH ENGINE.
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DARREL INCE. "black widow." A Dictionary of the Internet. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. DARREL INCE. "black widow." A Dictionary of the Internet. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O12-blackwidow.html DARREL INCE. "black widow." A Dictionary of the Internet. 2001. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O12-blackwidow.html |
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Black Widow
Black Widow P-61 a large twin-engine twin-boom attack aircraft, the only aircraft designed to be a night fighter during World War II. The P-61 entered service very late in the war, when the allied forces had gained air superiority, so it was used mostly as a night intruder and attack plane.
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"Black Widow." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Black Widow." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-BlackWidow.html "Black Widow." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-BlackWidow.html |
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black widow
black widow Common name for a small spider found in many warm regions of the world. It is black and has red hour-glass-shaped marks on the underside. Its bite is poisonous, though rarely fatal to humans. Length: 25mm (1in); the male is smaller. Family Therididae; genus Latrodectus.
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Cite this article
"black widow." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "black widow." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-blackwidow.html "black widow." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-blackwidow.html |
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black widow
black wid·ow • n. a venomous American spider (Latrodectus mactans, family Theridiidae), the female of which has a black body with a red hourglass shape on its underside. |
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Cite this article
"black widow." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "black widow." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-blackwidow.html "black widow." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-blackwidow.html |
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