Synonyms and cool circumlocutions for "tentacle"

[julpups]

Hi folks,

tentacle itself reminds me always of this hentai stuff which I want to avoid in case I'm not the only one.

Dictionary offers no other terms for Greifarm/Fangarm (German) and Thesaurus comes up with arm, limb and feeler which just doesn't sound suitable either.

Not in a sexual or porn context. It's a plant-like four-headed monster, coming from beneath the ground, using several tentacles to catch its prey for confinement or food.

Anyone know some cool synonyms and circumlocutions besides tendrils and long tails?

Also, one particular tentacle is equipped with a long and sharp spike similar to the Alien Queen's tail with which she had pierced Bishop in Aliens - The Return. It's mainly used for self-defense and fight. The others are littered with small talons and suckers for maximal grip. And they're long and thin enough to wrap around bodies.

For some reason, this really gives me a hard time.

Suggestions which comes to use will get an appropriate credit of course.

Thanks.

Off-topic: To all who ever attempted to write in a foreign language: Did you ever thought about certain words long enough until you've forgotten it in your own language so you were left with NO word at all?

[GeorgeGlass]

I suppose there's always the generic "appendage," maybe with an adjective or two attached ("ropy appendage," "tubular appendage").

[CloverReef]

Yeah I was gonna say what George did. Appendage. I'm not sure there's really any English word for tentacle besides tentacle. The ones you mentioned (Tendrils, feelers) are probably ones I would use. I feel like there should be more, like there's something on the tip of my tongue, but that might just be because I want there to be. In the case of that thing coming up and trapping food with tentacles, I think I'd personally rely on descriptive verbs when repetition of tentacle becomes a problem, like 'snaking', 'slithering', or descibing the actions of suction cups if there are any, etc.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

[DirtyAngel]

Bothrium?

[DirtyAngel]

How about projections

[julpups]

Projections as in elongations or extensions? That may work, thanks. Also the verb "to elongate" seems appropriate. I'm not sure what "Bothrium" is. A particular kind of tentacle I suppose?

@CloverReef: Yeah, descriptive adjectives and verbs are mandatory and I'm gathering them as well. Like undulating, flogging, sneaking, surging up, grabbing, creeping, swirling, squeezing, enlacing, entangling, clasping or slimy, brawny, slippery, greasy, sinewy, fleshy, thewy?, wiry? etc. pp. However, sometimes it's better to simply call it out by its name to leave some imagination to the reader.

I really like "ropy" though. Thanks GG. And "appendage" is a term I should come up by myself.

I think I'm just uncomfortable with "tentacle" due to its similarity to "Tentakel" which is rather a zoological term for the appendages of octupuses?, octupi?. And I really don't want to suggest tentacle porn.

Edited April 18, 2016 by julpups

[DirtyAngel]

Bothrium is the latin derivative for tentacle as in squid

[foeofthelance]

If its a plant monster, why not just call them vines?

[DirtyAngel]

damn.....

[julpups]

It's plant-like. The origin is demonic/supernatural. Besides the tendrils and four heads, the body has no features. It's just bulky and voluminous and has its roots in the ground. Practically a big digestive system.

But vine is also a good analogy, since they're rather long and thin. Thanks.

[NecroNOMNOMicon]

You could use "member" perhaps.

Oh, and those little mouth parts that insects use to eat (and are very creepy) are called "palpi" -- singular is "palpus" -- I'll bet you could get away with using that.

-Necro

[julpups]

I think I make the heads, jaws, teeth and way of feeding a mix of Alien, snake and baby bird. Long necks, small eye- and earless heads with broad dislocating jaws, razor-sharp and extending teeth and it feeds by lowering its prey down from above towards its waiting mouths. Like feeding baby birds.

In German, it's "Palpi" and "Palpus" (just looked it up) as well, though it seems they're seldom used for feeding but mainly for sensory perception. But I may be wrong. They're really creepy looking, though, I agree.

Didn't think of "member" in this context. I blame too much porn stories! Thanks.

[n30]

How about historic synonyms? In ancient Japan Tentacles are actually a slang term for dicks, vaginas, and sex toys. Don't believe me?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tentacle_erotica

So technically any slang term for a sex organ can be a slang term for a tentacle:

http://timeglider.com/timeline/07f47d6b843da763 for vagina

http://timeglider.com/timeline/194b572e19fd461b for penis