octopus

[ ok-tuh-puhs ]

noun

, plural oc·to·pus·es, oc·to·pi [ok, -t, uh, -pahy].

1. any octopod of the genus Octopus, having a soft, oval body and eight sucker-bearing arms, living mostly at the bottom of the sea.
2. something likened to an octopus, as an organization with many forms of far-reaching influence or control.

octopus

/ ˈɒktəpəs /

noun

1. any cephalopod mollusc of the genera Octopus, Eledone, etc, having a soft oval body with eight long suckered tentacles and occurring at the sea bottom: order Octopoda (octopods)
2. a powerful influential organization with far-reaching effects, esp harmful ones
3. another name for spider

Word History and Origins

Origin of octopus¹

1750–60; < New Latin < Greek oktṓpous (plural oktṓpodes ) eight-footed; octo-, -pod

Word History and Origins

Origin of octopus¹

C18: via New Latin from Greek oktōpous having eight feet

Example Sentences

The duo used a custommade respirometer to measure how much oxygen the pulsating cells used in the process, a proxy for how much energy it takes an octopus to trigger color changes.

From Science Magazine

Steam rises from snack stands selling noodles and sizzled octopus on sticks on the Chinese side.

From BBC

The situation is even murkier when it comes to invertebrates like shrimp, squid and octopus.

From Salon

We’ll get to the chunky octopus in a bit, but we want to start with the golden ticket.

From Los Angeles Times

One of the most prominent voices in Israel pressing Netanyahu to ignore US wishes is former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett who says Israel must not hesitate to act against what he calls the Iranian octopus.

From BBC

Related Words

• business
• company
• enterprise