black widow

The term "black widow" originates from the venomous spider species but has extended metaphorically to describe certain human behaviors and characters.

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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