hectocotylus

noun

hec·​to·​cot·​y·​lus

-ᵊləs

plural hectocotyli

-ᵊlˌī

: a modified arm of a male cephalopod that is specially and variously adapted to effect the fertilization of the eggs

especially : an arm that in argonauts and some octopods receives the spermatophores, is inserted into the female mantle cavity, and then is broken free from the body of the male

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from hect- + -cotylus (from Greek kotylē cup, anything hollow)

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