rhizoverbBeta
DictionarycuttlefishMarine mollusk
noun

cuttlefish

KUT-uhl-fish/ˈkʌtlfɪʃ/

A marine mollusk with arms, tentacles, color-changing skin, and an internal cuttlebone.

The cuttlefish changes color as it moves across the seafloor.

A recognizable cuttlefish hovering above a small patch of seabed, with its broad oval mantle, rippling lateral fin, clustered arms, two extended feeding tentacles, and mottled camouflage clearly visible.
Etymology
cuttleOld Englishcuttlefish
+fishEnglishfish

Cuttle continues an old name for this animal, with fish added to form the compound. The older name may be related to Germanic words for a container or pocket.

In context

Real Science2:00
how are cuttlefish able to match the pattern and color of their skin to their environment when they can't even see color
The Insane Biology of: The Cuttlefish

More examples

  • A cuttlefish catches shrimp with two long feeding tentacles.
  • The cuttlefish releases a cloud of ink and escapes.
  • Several cuttlefish hover just above the sandy bottom.

Forms

cuttlefish · cuttlefishes

cuttlebone noun — The lightweight internal shell of a cuttlefish.