black widow
The term "black widow" originates from the venomous spider species but has extended metaphorically to describe certain human behaviors and characters.
Definition
B2Arachnology
(scientific, common)A venomous spider, specifically the female, known for its black body and red hourglass-shaped mark on its abdomen.
Example
- The bite of a black widow can cause severe pain and muscle cramps.
C1Crime
(informal, figurative)A woman who has been married multiple times, with each husband dying under suspicious or unnatural circumstances.
Example
- She was called a black widow after her third husband died mysteriously.
B2Pop Culture
(informal)A nickname for the Marvel Comics superheroine Natasha Romanoff, known for her skills as a spy and assassin.
Example
- Black Widow is a key member of the Avengers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "black widow":
banana spiderwar widowscorpion spiderhouse spiderwater spiderrock spiderdeath adderwidow's weedswoodlouse spiderspider crabwarrior waspcicada killerpumpkin spiderturret spider