Sc. Also 8 ethercap. [var. form of ATTERCOP.]

1

  1.  A spider; = ATTERCOP 1.

2

  2.  fig. An ill-humored person; = ATTERCOP 2.

3

1725.  Ramsay, Gentle Sheph., IV. i. ’Tis dafter like to thole An ether-cap like him to blaw the coal!

4

c. 1750.  A. Robertson, in Scott, Wav., lxiv. A fiery etter-cap, a fractious chiel.

5

1820.  Blackw. Mag., VIII. 15. That ettercap … is flying through the town like a shunky.

6

1840.  Fraser’s Mag., XXII. 478. A cool temper … I’m sure yon fiery ettercap has not.

7

  Hence ettercapped, ppl. a., inflicted by a spider.

8

1721.  Ramsay, Poems, To Gay, xii. Ye may smile at ethercopit stings With careless pride.

9