Arachne (ἀράχνη) is the Greek word for "spider". According to Ovid's Metamorphoses, Arachne was a seamstress who challenged Athena to a contest to see who was better at weaving, and when Arachne created a better tapestry insulting the gods, Athena was furious. Arachne killed herself, after which Athena transformed her into a spider.
Origin: Greece A skilled tapistry-weaver in Lydia. She challenged Athena, goddess of weaving, to a contest. Arachne's work was skilled, but her tapestry depicted Zeus's lewd actions. This infuriated Athena, who turned Arachne in to a spider woman.
A spider demon of Greek lore. Once a skilled seamstress, she was changed after challenging Athena. She spun a tapestry mocking the gods in the contest, and Athena cursed her to become a spider.
A spider demon of Greek lore. Once a skilled seamstress, she was changed after challenging Athena. She spun a tapestry mocking the gods in the contest, and Athena cursed her to become a spider.