Tentacle

Quick meaning: Tentacle is a noun meaning (zoology) An elongated, boneless, flexible organ or limb of some animals, such as the octopus and squid.

Meaning

(zoology) An elongated, boneless, flexible organ or limb of some animals, such as the octopus and squid.

More Meanings

1. (botany) One of the glandular hairs on the leaves of certain insectivorous plants.
2. (figurative) An insidious reach or influence.
3. (figurative) Something like a zoological limb.
4. (UK, military, historical) An officer employed to drive out to troops and transmit back requests for support via a special radio link.
5. to move like a tentacle

Example Sentences

the tentacles of the criminal underworld

With one blow of the axe, Captain Nemo cut this formidable tentacle, that slid wriggling down the ladder.

1897, H. G. Wells, The Crystal Egg The body was small, but fitted with two bunches of prehensile organs, like long tentacles, immediately under the mouth.

1936, H. P. Lovecraft, The Shadow Out of Time Surmounting this head were four slender grey stalks bearing flower-like appendages, whilst from its nether side dangled eight greenish antennae or tentacles.

Word Forms

• tentacles
• tentacling
• tentacled

Synonyms for tentacle

Depending on context, synonyms include tentaculum.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include feeler, tentaculum, squid, octopus, decapod, octapus.

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