nautilus

nau·ti·lus

noun \ˈnȯ-tə-ləs, ˈnä-\

plural nau·ti·lus·es or nau·ti·li\-tə-ˌlī, -ˌlē\

Definition of NAUTILUS

1

: any of a genus (Nautilus) of cephalopod mollusks of the South Pacific and Indian oceans with a spiral chambered shell that is pearly on the inside —called also chambered nautilus

2

: paper nautilus

Illustration of NAUTILUS

Origin of NAUTILUS

New Latin, from Latin, paper nautilus, from Greek nautilos, literally, sailor, from naus ship

First Known Use: 1601