cuttlefish
Definition
Noun: A marine mollusk of the cephalopod class, characterized by an oval body, eight arms, two longer tentacles used for feeding, a pair of narrow fins running the length of its body, and an internal calcareous shell called a cuttlebone. It is known for its ability to rapidly change skin color and pattern.
Usage
The word "cuttlefish" is used to refer to the animal itself, both in biological contexts and general discussion about marine life. * The cuttlefish is a master of camouflage. * We observed a cuttlefish hiding on the seabed. * The aquarium has a tank dedicated to cuttlefish.
Advanced Usage
- Collective/Plural: The standard plural is "cuttlefish" (e.g., ), though "cuttlefishes" is sometimes used in scientific contexts to refer to multiple species.
- As a Modifier: Used attributively to describe things related to the animal.
- cuttlefish ink (a dark pigment it releases)
- cuttlefish bone (the internal shell, often given to pet birds)
Variants and Related Words
- Cuttle: A less common, shortened form of "cuttlefish."
- Sepia: Originally the genus name (), now commonly refers to the rich brown pigment derived from cuttlefish ink and, by extension, a reddish-brown color or a photograph in that tone.
Synonyms
- Cephalopod: The broader biological class to which cuttlefish belong, along with squid and octopus.
- Mollusk: The larger phylum of invertebrates with soft bodies, which includes cephalopods.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- None directly associated: There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs specifically using the word "cuttlefish." Its usage is primarily literal and scientific.
Noun
-
ten-armed oval-bodied cephalopod with narrow fins as long as the body and a large calcareous internal shell
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