hectocotylus Hear it!

hectocotylus definition

hec·to·coty·lus (hek′tō kät′'l əs)

noun pl. hectocotyli -·y·li′ (-ī′)

a specific arm of a male octopus, cuttlefish, or other cephalopod, which becomes modified at sexual maturity so that it can transfer sperm to the female

Etymology: ModL < hecto- + Gr kotylē, a hollow, cavity

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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