2 entries under this word
(rē′shĭ-a-rȳ), n. [Lat. retiarius, one who fights with a net, a kind of gladiator who endeavored to hold his adversary by throwing a net over his head, from rete, a net; Fr. rétiaire.] (Zoöl.) A spider which spins webs to catch its prey.
(rē′/shĭ-a-rȳ), a. 1. Net-like.
Besides, this kind of work is in retiary, or hanging textures, and in embroideries. Browne.
Sense 2. Constructing or using a web, or net, to catch prey; — said of certain spiders.
Sense 3. Armed or provided with a net; hence, skillful to entangle. “Scholastic retiary versatility of logic.” Coleridge.