octopus

oc·to·pus

noun \ˈäk-tə-pəs, -ˌpu̇s\

plural oc·to·pus·es or oc·to·pi\-ˌpī\

Definition of OCTOPUS

1

: any of a genus (Octopus) of cephalopod mollusks that have eight muscular arms equipped with two rows of suckers; broadly : any octopod excepting the paper nautilus

2

: something that resembles an octopus especially in having many centrally directed branches

Illustration of OCTOPUS

Origin of OCTOPUS

New Latin Octopod-, Octopus, from Greek oktōpous

First Known Use: 1758

Other Invertebrates (Except Insects) Terms

anemone, cephalopod, quahog

Rhymes with OCTOPUS

glamour-puss, platypus