/skwid/ , n. , pl. ( esp. collectively ) squid , ( esp. referring to two or more kinds or species ) squids .
any of several ten-armed cephalopods, as of the genera Loligo and Ommastrephes, having a slender body and a pair of rounded or triangular caudal fins and varying in length from 4-6 in. (10-15 cm) to 60-80 ft. (18-24 m).
[ 1605-15; orig. uncert. ]