Spider Web Vs Cob Web?

Question

Was is the difference between the two?

Answer 1

Depends on who's using it. Cob-web is the old term for spider web (look up the name history of spiders if you want some fun!). Nowadays it seems likely that 'cobweb' is used for the old, messy dusty strands of silk that hunting spiders leave up near the ceiling. They're not usually webs of any kind. Spiderweb is usually used for active webs, especially the orb-webs of one particualr group of spiders.

Answer 2

I think cobweb means an old abandoned spiderweb. Hence cobwebs are associated with abandoned buildings and dark places, where old abandoned spider webs are never cleared. Both are made by spiders.