cephalopod

American  

[sef-uh-luh-pod] / ˈsɛf ə ləˌpɒd /

noun

1. any mollusk of the class Cephalopoda, having tentacles attached to the head, including the cuttlefish, squid, and octopus.

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adjective

1. Also cephalopodic, cephalopodous belonging or pertaining to the Cephalopoda.

cephalopod British  

/ ˈsɛfələˌpɒd /

noun

1. any marine mollusc of the class Cephalopoda , characterized by well-developed head and eyes and a ring of sucker-bearing tentacles. The group also includes the octopuses, squids, cuttlefish, and pearly nautilus

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Cephalopoda

cephalopod Scientific  

/ sĕf′ə-lə-pŏd′ /

1. Any of various marine mollusks of the class Cephalopoda, having long tentacles around the mouth, a large head, a pair of large eyes, and a sharp beak. Cephalopods have the most highly developed nervous system of all invertebrates. Many cephalopods squirt a cloud of dark inky liquid to confuse predators. Cephalopods include the octopus, squid, cuttlefish, and nautilus, and the extinct ammonites, belemnites, and other nautiloids.

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Other Word Forms

• cephalopodan adjective

Etymology

Origin of cephalopod

1820–30; < New Latin Cephalopoda; cephalo-, -pod

Example Sentences

The project aims to sequence genomes from a wide range of marine and freshwater species, including cephalopods.

From Science Daily

Sun, the project's principal investigator, said the concept was inspired by cephalopods such as octopuses, which can rapidly alter the look and texture of their skin.

From Science Daily

Beyond cephalopods, xanthommatin is also found in insects within the arthropod group, contributing to the brilliant orange and yellow hues of monarch butterfly wings and the bright reds seen in dragonfly bodies and fly eyes.

From Science Daily

I remember being moved by the close bond author Sy Montgomery forms with one of these cephalopods in “The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration in the Wonder of Consciousness.”

From Salon

The present-day mollusc family includes snails, cephalopods and mussels.

From BBC