Octopus /(?)/

Oc·to·pus

Octopus

n.
  1. A genus of eight-armed cephalopods, including numerous species, some of them of large size. See Devilfish. (Zool.)
  2. Any member of the genus Octopus. (Zool.)
  3. Something resembling an octopus in having numerous controlling arms or branches that reach widely and influence many activities; -- used mostly of organizations, such as diversified corporations. (Fig.)