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.

Nearby words

nautical day, nautical mile, nauticality, nautically, nautiloid, nautilus, nautophone, nav, nav., nav. arch., nav. e.

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples 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