Meanings
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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.
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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.
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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.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Etymology
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.