■ noun ( plural ~es ) a cephalopod mollusc with eight sucker-bearing arms, a soft sac-like body, strong beak-like jaws, and no internal shell. [Order Octopoda: many species.]
Derivatives
octopoid adjective
Origin
C18: from Gk oktōpous (see octopod ).
Usage
The standard plural in English of ~ is ~es . However, since the word comes from Greek, the Greek plural form octopodes is still occasionally used. The plural form octopi , formed according to rules for Latin plurals, is incorrect.