An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

One of, usually three or four, diagonal supports that hold the → secondary mirror in a → reflecting telescope. Also called support vane.

Etymology (EN): M.E. spithre, O.E. M.E. spithra, akin to spinnan “to spin;”
cf. M.L.G., M.Du., M.H.G., Ger. spinne, Du. spin “spider;” → vane.

Etymology (PE): Parré, → vane; târtan “spider,” literally “weaver,” composite word of with two cognate elements, the first one târ
“thread, warp, string,” related to tur “net, fishing net, snare,”
tâl “thread” (Borujerdi dialect), tân “thread, warp of a web,” from the second element tan-, tanidan
“to spin, twist, weave;” Mid.Pers. tanitan; Av. tan- to stretch, extend;" cf. Skt. tan- to stretch, extend;" tanoti “stretches,” tántra- “warp; essence, main point;” Gk. teinein “to stretch, pull tight;” L. tendere “to stretch;”
Lith. tiñklas “net, fishing net, snare,” Latv. tikls “net;” PIE base *ten- “to stretch.”