Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun rare Plural form of octopus.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Fowler is not alone in rejecting octopi; some linguists do so on the grounds that octopus was not originally a Latin word but a Greek one – hence the pedantic plural octopodes, which is rarely if ever seen outside dictionaries, usage guides, and blog posts such as the one you are reading.

    Octopuses, octopi and oktopodes 2008

  • Fowler is not alone in rejecting octopi; some linguists do so on the grounds that octopus was not originally a Latin word but a Greek one – hence the pedantic plural octopodes, which is rarely if ever seen outside dictionaries, usage guides, and blog posts such as the one you are reading.

    October « 2008 « Sentence first 2008

  • In time, though, the emptiness should become rich profusion: Lobsters and octopodes will move into shadowy nooks, cleaning shrimp will set up work stations where sailors once did, extending an invitation of sorts to hungry garden eels and the eagle rays that eat the eels.

    See-Worthy Darrell Hartman 2012

  • Stamper explains that throughout history, the word "octopus" has been pluralized as octopuses, octopi, and the more unusual octopodes.

    Is It 'Octopuses' Or 'Octopi'? Merriam-Webster Has The Answer In 'Ask An Editor' (VIDEO) 2010

  • Stamper explains that throughout history, the word "octopus" has been pluralized as octopuses, octopi, and the more unusual octopodes.

    Is It 'Octopuses' Or 'Octopi'? Merriam-Webster Has The Answer In 'Ask An Editor' (VIDEO) 2010

  • Perhaps, but octopi has been used by many reputable publications and raises fewer eyebrows than octopodes.

    October « 2008 « Sentence first 2008

  • Perhaps, but octopi has been used by many reputable publications and raises fewer eyebrows than octopodes.

    Octopuses, octopi and oktopodes 2008

  • In this book, Jacques asserts that though his divers have played with octopuses (very well: octopodes) hundreds of times, they have never once been bitten - and have never even heard of such an incident.

    The Ghost from the Grand Banks Clarke, Arthur C. 1990

  • In this book, Jacques asserts that though his divers have played with octopuses (very well: octopodes) hundreds of times, they have never once been bitten - and have never even heard of such an incident.

    The Ghost from the Grand Banks Clarke, Arthur C. 1990

  • Here's how to make hot dogs into octopi aka octopuses aka octopodes.

    WN.com - Articles related to Sea secrets - over 5,000 new marine species found 2010

Comments

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  • Gotta love those plurals from Greek (the plural is very much not octopi!). Oh and it's pronounced okk-TOP-oh-deez. Jeez. :)

    May 11, 2007

  • Haha.. My professor taught us this word in Latin class :)

    September 18, 2007

  • Pous being a type-3 Greek noun, the plural is podes, in two syllables. This is a rare form; more commonly, as in hippopotamus, the plural will take the form hippopotamoi. Rhinoceros becomes rhinocera (although that also is irregular, as it ought to be rhinocerata).

    August 15, 2008

  • Octopuses, hippopotamuses and rhinoceroses are all fine by me. I also like the fact that the last of these makes a sight rhyme with noses and roses. (I love sight rhymes.)

    August 15, 2008