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octopus

Syllabification: (oc·to·pus)

Pronunciation: /ˈäktəpəs/

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Definition of octopus

noun (plural octopuses)

a cephalopod mollusk with eight sucker-bearing arms, a soft saclike body, strong beaklike jaws, and no internal shell.
- Order Octopoda, class Cephalopoda: Octopus and other genera

Derivatives

octopoid

Origin:

mid 18th century: modern Latin, from Greek oktōpous (see also Octopoda)

The standard plural in English of octopus is octopuses. However, the word octopus comes from Greek, and the Greek plural form octopodes is still occasionally used. The plural form octopi is mistakenly formed according to rules for Latin plurals, and is therefore incorrect.

Make the plural of octopus by adding -es (it comes from Greek, so the usual rule for Latin plurals, with the ending -i, does not apply): (octopuses).

octopus in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of octopus in the British & World English dictionary

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