Anansi

American

[uh-non-see] / əˈnɒn si /

Ananse

noun

a mischievous trickster character in folk tales of West Africa and, subsequently, the Caribbean who is both a spider and a man, the son of the creator god Nyame.

Etymology

Origin of Anansi

First recorded in 1700–10; from Twi ananse “spider,” and the name of a mythological character notable for his cunning and trickery

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And they told stories about characters like Br’er Rabbit and Anansi, tricksters who provided models for overcoming powerful oppressors.

From The Wall Street Journal

Gaiman was also dropped from various film and TV adaptations of his work, including the final season of Amazon’s “Good Omens” and the streamer’s new “Anansi Boys” TV series.

From Los Angeles Times

A vintage Ferris wheel, themed to “Anansi’s Magic Web,” is an opportunity to rediscover the folktale via the attraction’s netting-like design.

From Los Angeles Times

Fans speculate that this creature is Anansi, a legendary character in West African and Caribbean folktales, but scriptwriter Inua Ellams is keeping specifics under wraps.

From BBC

In response to the New York Magazine allegations, publishing company Dark Horse Comics announced that it would no longer print his works “American Gods” and “Good Omens” and canceled his “Anansi Boys” comic series.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023