ˈäktəpəs sometimes -təˌpu̇s noun
Etymology: New Latin Octopod-, Octopus, from Greek oktōpod-, oktapod-, oktōpous, oktapous octopod
1.
a. capitalized : a genus formerly including all of the common octopuses but now restricted to a few typical forms and being the type of the family Octopodidae
b. plural octopuses -sə̇z or octo·pi -təˌpī also oc·top·o·des äkˈtäpəˌdēz, -tōp- : any mollusk of this genus ; broadly : any member of the order Octopoda usually excepting the paper nautilus
2. plural octopuses or octopi : something that resembles or is thought to resemble an octopus especially in having many branches centrally directed or in exerting control over others by many means
an octopus of a corporation which lends, buys, produces, and sells — Atlantic
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