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Definition of nautilus

nautilus

/ˈnɔː.tɪ.ləs/
nau · ti · lus
Plural:nautiluses
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nautilus Lexical Profile

nautilus Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A marine cephalopod mollusk native to the Indo-Pacific Ocean, characterized by a smooth, coiled shell divided into internal gas-filled chambers that provide buoyancy.

Example

"The chambered nautilus has survived relatively unchanged for millions of years, earning it the title of a living fossil."

2

A pelagic octopus (the paper nautilus) whose female secretes a delicate, unchambered shell used as a brood chamber to protect her eggs.

Example

"Ancient mariners often confused the true chambered nautilus with the paper nautilus due to their superficial similarities."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for nautilus

• Rhymes for nautilus

• Nearby Words

nautical
nautically
nautilocalyx
nautilus
nauyaca
nauyaca falls
naval

Word Origin & Etymology

From Latin 'nautilus', borrowed from Ancient Greek 'nautilos' meaning 'sailor', derived from 'naus' (ship). The term was originally applied by ancient writers to the paper nautilus (argonaut), which was mistakenly believed to use its webbed arms as sails to navigate the ocean surface.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Nautilus. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/nautilus
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