tarantula

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ta·ran·tu·la / təˈranchələ/ • n. 1. a large hairy spider (family Theraphosidae, numerous species) found chiefly in tropical and subtropical America, some kinds of which are able to catch small lizards, frogs, and birds. 2. a large black wolf spider (Lycosa tarentula) of southern Europe whose bite was formerly believed to cause tarantism.

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