also: タコあし
noun-modifying (irregular), noun
many-legged; octopus-like; branching out like octopus legs
Describes something with many branching extensions, like the legs of an octopus. Often used in compounds such as 蛸足配線 (octopus wiring) or 蛸足大学 (a university with many scattered campuses).
See also: タコ足配線
この部屋は蛸足配線だらけで危ない。
This room is full of octopus wiring and is dangerous.
蛸足大学はキャンパスが分散していて移動が大変だ。
An octopus-leg university has scattered campuses, making it hard to get around.
Compound of 蛸 (tako, 'octopus') and 足 (ashi, 'leg'), literally 'octopus legs'. The metaphorical sense comes from the image of many branching tentacles.