squid

 
Pronunciation: /skwɪd/

noun (plural or squids)

  • an elongated, fast-swimming cephalopod mollusc with eight arms and two long tentacles, typically able to change colour.
    • Order Teuthoidea and Vampyromorpha, class Cephalopoda, in particular the common genus Loligo. See also giant squid
  • [mass noun] the squid used as food: fried squid in pumpkin sauce
  • an artificial bait for fish imitating a squid in form.

verb (squids, squidding, squidded)

[no object]
  • fish using squid as bait.

Origin:

late 16th century: of unknown origin