tentacle

The definition of a tentacle is a flexible arm used to touch and grab things, or the sensitive hairs on a plant leaf.

(noun)

An example of a tentacle is one of the eight arms of an octopus.

See tentacle in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

any of a variety of long, slender, flexible growths, as about the head or mouth of some invertebrate animals, used variously for grasping, feeling, moving, etc.
Bot. any of various sensitive hairs on the leaves of some plants, as those used in capturing insects

Origin: ModL tentaculum < L tentare, to touch: see tent

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See tentacle in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Zoology An elongated flexible unsegmented extension, as one of those surrounding the mouth or oral cavity of the squid, used for feeling, grasping, or locomotion.
Botany One of the sensitive hairs on the leaves of insectivorous plants, such as the sundew.
A similar part or extension, especially with respect to the ability to grasp or stretch: an espionage network with far-reaching tentacles.

Origin:

Origin: New Latin tentāculum

Origin: , from Latin tentāre, to feel, try; see tentative

Related Forms: