ˈnɔ:tɪləs n. (pl. nautiluses or nautili) 1
any cephalopod of
the genus Nautilus
with a
light brittle spiral shell,
esp. (pearly nautilus)
one having a
chambered shell with nacreous
septa. 2 (in full
paper nautilus) any
small floating octopus of the genus Argonauta, of
which the
female has a
very thin shell
and webbed sail-like arms. [L f. Gk nautilos,
lit.
sailor (as NAUTICAL)]