tentacle

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a long, flexible organ of an animal, used for touching, grasping, feeding, or movement

   The octopus extended one tentacle toward the opening in the rock.

2. 2
   noun

   in botany, a sensitive glandular hair on certain insect-eating plants

   Each tentacle on the sundew leaf bears a drop of sticky fluid.

3. 3
   noun

   a far-reaching branch of influence or control, usually used in the plural

   The investigation exposed the cartel's tentacles throughout the industry.

Simplified etymology

Tentacle was anglicized in the mid-18th century from modern Latin tentaculum, derived from Latin tentare “to feel, handle, or try.”

From New Latin tentaculum 'feeler', from Latin tentare 'to touch, test, or try'. The biological term was extended figuratively to anything that reaches out, grasps, or exerts control.

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External links

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• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary