octopus Definition

octopus
noun octopuses

1. Any of about 150 species of marine mollusc, found mainly in tropical regions, with a soft rounded body, no external shell, and eight arms, each of which bears two rows of suckers.
2. A person or organization, etc with widespread, often harmful or destructive, influence.
3. A fairground ride that approximately resembles the form of an octopus, with a set of rotating spokes or ‘arms' from which passenger cars are suspended.

Etymology: Late 19c in sense 2; 18c: Latin, from Greek oktopous, from okto eight + pous foot.