paper nautilus

noun

1. any dibranchiate cephalopod of the genus Argonauta, the female of which has a delicate, white shell.

paper nautilus

noun

1. any cephalopod mollusc of the genus Argonauta, esp A. argo, of warm and tropical seas, having a papery external spiral shell: order Octopoda (octopods) Also calledargonaut Compare pearly nautilus

Word History and Origins

Origin of paper nautilus¹

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

“It actually drives me nuts that people call them ‘paper nautilus,’” Dr. Vecchione said.

From New York Times

Some day I will show you a very beautiful shell, which I have in my cabinet; it is the shell of the paper nautilus, which is a very curious little fish.

From Project Gutenberg

I here also saw numbers of the paper nautilus floating on the calm surface of the water.

From Project Gutenberg

After a heavy storm the paper nautilus is sometimes found.

From Project Gutenberg

The varieties of the paper nautilus, or argonaut, are the most delicate and beautiful.

From Project Gutenberg