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Glite Dictionary
genus Octopus

genus Octopus

6.5
A group of octopus species that live in many oceans
  • noun
  • /ˈdʒɛnəs ˈɒktəpəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : género Octopus
  • Members of the genus Octopus are known for their intelligence and ability to camouflage.

Examples

  • Researchers discovered a new member of the genus Octopus off the coast of Australia.

  • The genus Octopus includes many species found in oceans throughout the world.

  • The genus Octopus includes many fascinating species.

  • Did you know that the genus Octopus has over 300 species?

  • Members of the genus Octopus are known for their intelligence and ability to camouflage.

  • Researchers discovered a new member of the genus Octopus off the coast of Australia.

  • The genus Octopus includes many species found in oceans throughout the world.

Surface Forms

genus Octopus singular
genera Octopus plural

Morphology

genus + octopus

The phrase denotes the biological taxon composed by combining 'genus' (a biological rank) with 'octopus' (the animal), so the meaning 'the genus named Octopus / the group of species that includes octopuses' is directly derivable from the constituents. This taxonomic noun-combination is a standard, compositional naming pattern (cross-linguistically common), so a B1 learner who knows both words should be able to understand it.

Etymology

Genus Octopus comes from old Greek words: the parts octo and pous mean 'eight' and 'foot', so the name gives the literal image of an 'eight-foot' animal. 'Genus' means a group of similar species, so genus Octopus is the main group name for the common eight-armed octopuses.