cephalopod
Cephalopod (noun) means any mollusc belonging to the group that includes squid, cuttlefish, octopus and nautiloids. Example: “Octopuses and squid are both cephalopods.”
How to use cephalopod
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA cephalopod is a type of sea creature, like an octopus or squid, with a soft body and arms grouped around its head.
Cephalopod is a neutral scientific term at home in both biology textbooks and everyday nature writing.
Splitting the word into its Greek roots, head plus foot, is a quick way to remember what it names.
Trace the full origin ↓Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Octopuses and squid are both _____.
Etymology
The word comes from French céphalopode, which in turn goes back to Ancient Greek roots meaning head and foot. It was built from the same pattern as other -pod words, joining a term for the head with one for a foot or leg.
