As a Noun: 1. A small creature with eight legs, many types of which make webs. English = spider. 2. A small animal that has six legs, many types of which have wings. Examples include, ants, flies, butterflies and beetles. English = insect. Informal English = bug. 3. An insect with a hard covering on its body. English = beetle. As a Verb or Adjective: 1. Of an insect or spider, to crawl.