cephalopod

ceph·a·lo·pod

noun \ˈse-fə-lə-ˌpäd\

Definition of CEPHALOPOD

: any of a class (Cephalopoda) of marine mollusks including the squids, cuttlefishes, and octopuses that move by expelling water from a tubular siphon under the head and that have a group of muscular usually sucker-bearing arms around the front of the head, highly developed eyes, and usually a sac containing ink which is ejected for defense or concealment

— cephalopod adjective

Origin of CEPHALOPOD

ultimately from cephal- + Greek pod-, pous foot — more at foot

First Known Use: 1826

Other Invertebrates (Except Insects) Terms

anemone, quahog

Rhymes with CEPHALOPOD

Ahmadabad, Allahabad, brachiopod, branchiopod, connecting rod, dégringolade, divining rod, Faisalabad, fanfaronade, Holy Synod, Islamabad, leveling rod, ornithopod, prosauropod, rodomontade, Scheherazade, Upanishad

cephalopod

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any marine mollusk of the class Cephalopoda (e.g., cuttlefish, nautilus, octopus, and squid), which includes the most active and largest living invertebrates. Cephalopods are bilaterally symmetrical and typically have a highly developed centralized nervous system. Their image-forming eyes are similar in structure to vertebrate eyes, and their heads are armed with tentacles that have rows of round suction disks. Most cephalopods can change skin colour to blend in with their surroundings. All can swim, propelling themselves backward by expelling water forcefully. Most are carnivores that feed on fish, crustaceans, and other mollusks.