0 one of the long, thin parts like arms of some sea animals, used for feeling and holding things, catching food, or moving --
1 a long, thin, arm of some sea animals, such as the octopus and jellyfish --
That is what it means: the tentacles of the telephone system spreading among the population.
Eurocrats see them as opportunities to extend their tentacles of power.
That must be a factor in drawing people into the pernicious tentacles of the drug culture.
That system is like an octopus, because, as fast as one cuts off one bit of its tentacles, it sprouts another.
But there are other areas where the octopus is gently putting its tentacles round our unsuspecting constitution.
This octopus has its tentacles all over the world, in combination with smaller combines.
The tentacles of this octopus are going to stretch a very long way.
Another tentacle stretches out and with infinite tact, but great firmness, entwines itself round the sturdy limbs of the local authorities.
