Medical Dictionary

blue–ringed octopus

noun \-ˈriŋd-ˈäk-tə-pəs, -ˌps\

Medical Definition of BLUE-RINGED OCTOPUS

:  a venomous octopus (Hapalochlaena maculosa synonym Octopus maculosa) of the Indo-Pacific region that is especially common along the southern coast of Australia, is capable of inflicting a fatal bite due to the injection of tetrodotoxin, and undergoes skin color changes when aroused displaying brilliant blue rings

Browse

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.
Test your vocab with our fun, fast game
Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears