A Proto-Indo-European word for 'spider'? : un-weaving the prehistory of the Greek ἀράχνη and the Latin arāneus

Abstract

The Greek ἀράχνη and the Latin arāneus 'spider' have long been considered cognates, yet a convincing etymology is still missing. Based on words for 'spider' in other Indo-European traditions that are predominantly derived from roots and verbs meaning 'weave', 'spin', and the like, we assume that the root at the core of Gk. ἀράχνη and Lat. arāneus had similar semantics. Analysing the preform *araksnā as *h₂ŕ̥h₂⁽g̑⁾sneh₂-, we recognize the underlying root *h₂reh₂⁽g̑⁾- 'weave' not only in ἀράχνη and arāneus, but also in the Gk. ῥῆγος 'rug, blanket' and the root noun ῥώξ 'a kind of venomous spider', the continuant of a former agent noun 'weaver'.