octopus

The definition of an octopus is a sea creature with a soft saclike body with eight sucker-lined limbs.

(noun)

An example of an octopus is the character Pearl in the movie Finding Nemo.

See octopus in Webster's New World College Dictionary

any of various octopods (order Octopoda) having a soft, saclike body, a reduced coelom, an internal vestigial shell, and eight sucker-bearing arms around the mouth
anything suggesting an octopus; esp., an organization with branches that reach out in a powerful and influential manner

Origin: ModL < Gr oktōpous, eight-footed < oktō, eight + pous (gen. podos), foot

See octopus in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. oc·to·pus·es or oc·to·pi (-pīˌ)

Any of numerous carnivorous marine mollusks of the genus Octopus or related genera, found worldwide. The octopus has a rounded soft body, eight arms with each bearing two rows of suckers, a large distinct head, and a strong beaklike mouth. Also called devilfish.
Something, such as a multinational corporation, that has many powerful, centrally controlled branches.

Origin:

Origin: New Latin Octōpūs, genus name

Origin: , from Greek oktōpous, eight-footed

Origin: : oktō, eight; see oktō(u) in Indo-European roots

Origin: + pous, foot; see ped- in Indo-European roots

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