nautilus

[ nawt-l-uh s, not- ]

/ ˈnɔt l əs, ˈnɒt- /

noun, plural nau·ti·lus·es, nau·ti·li [nawt-l-ahy, not-] /ˈnɔt lˌaɪ, ˈnɒt-/ for 1, 2.

Also called chambered nautilus, pearly nautilus. any cephalopod of the genus Nautilus, having a spiral, chambered shell with pearly septa.

paper nautilus.

(initial capital letter) the first nuclear-powered submarine launched by the U.S. Navy.

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Origin of nautilus

1595–1605; < Latin < Greek nautílos paper nautilus, literally, sailor, derivative of naûs ship; the webbed dorsal arms of the paper nautilus were thought to have been used as sails

Words nearby nautilus

nautes, nautical, nautical day, nautical mile, nautiloid, nautilus, nautophone, nav, nav., nav. arch., nav. e.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for nautilus

There is something about being in Captain Nemo's Nautilus that makes the absinthe taste even better.
The Absinthe-Minded Porteños of Buenos Aires|Jeff Campagna|March 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The next morning, the 7th of November, I felt on awakening that the Nautilus was perfectly still.
The Literary World Seventh Reader|Various
The Nautilus was a masterpiece, containing masterpieces within itself, and the engineer was struck with astonishment.
The Secret of the Island|W.H.G. Kingston (translation from Jules Verne)
Men did not know then that the animal which lives in them is no more like a Nautilus animal than it is like a cow.
Madam How and Lady Why|Charles Kingsley

Somers then passed among the officers and crew of the "Nautilus," shaking hands, and bidding each farewell.
The Naval History of the United States|Willis J. Abbot.
Concerning the nautilus and whale, I learned more through this accomplished seaman than I had ever learned before.
Official Report of the Niger Valley Exploring Party |Martin Robinson Delany

British Dictionary definitions for nautilus

nautilus

/ (ˈnɔːtɪləs) /

noun plural -luses or -li (-ˌlaɪ)

any cephalopod mollusc of the genus Nautilus, esp the pearly nautilus

short for paper nautilus

Word Origin for nautilus

C17: via Latin from Greek nautilos sailor, from naus ship

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012