octopus
/'ɔktəpəs/
Definition
- Noun:
- A marine animal with a soft body and eight long arms: An octopus is a sea creature belonging to the cephalopod class. It has a soft, oval-shaped body and eight long, flexible appendages called arms or tentacles, which are lined with suckers. It is known for its intelligence and ability to change color and texture for camouflage.
- The meat of this animal used as food: Octopus also refers to the tentacles or flesh of this animal when prepared and eaten as seafood.
Examples of Usage
- Noun (Animal):
- The octopus hid in a crevice, changing its skin to match the coral.
- Scientists study the octopus for its remarkable problem-solving abilities.
- Noun (Food):
- The restaurant serves grilled octopus with a lemon herb sauce.
- I tried octopus sushi for the first time.
Advanced Usage
- Figurative use for something with many far-reaching influences: While not the primary definition, "octopus" can be used metaphorically to describe an organization or system with many powerful, controlling branches.
- Critics described the corporation as an octopus, its tentacles reaching into every sector of the economy.
Variants and Related Words
- Octopuses (n): The most common standard plural form in English.
- Octopi (n): A plural form based on the mistaken assumption the word has Latin origins; it is less preferred but still used.
- Octopodes (n): A plural form following Greek etymology; it is rare and used primarily in academic contexts.
- Octopod (n/adj): A technical term relating to or resembling an octopus.
Synonyms
- Cephalopod (n): The broader biological class including octopuses, squid, and cuttlefish.
- Devilfish (n): An old-fashioned or regional name for an octopus or large ray.
Related Phrases and Idioms
(Note: There are no common phrasal verbs with "octopus.") - To have the arms of an octopus: An idiom describing someone who tries to do too many things at once or control too many areas. - As a new manager, he stretched himself thin, trying to have the arms of an octopus.
Noun
-
bottom-living cephalopod having a soft oval body with eight long tentacles
-
tentacles of octopus prepared as food
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