Dictionary
Find
in
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Translations

Click to move up the list of words
probe
probenecid
probiotic
probity
problem
problem child
problematic
proboscidean
proboscis
proboscis monkey
procaine
procambium
procaryote
procedure
proceed
proceeding
proceeds
Click to move down the list of words
Also available:

World English Dictionary
Dictionnaire Français

proboscis

pro·bos·cis [ prō bóssiss, prō bóss kiss ] (plural pro·bos·cis·es or pro·bos·ces [ prō bos sz ] or pro·bos·ci·des [ prō bóssi dz ])


noun 
Definition:
 
1. long flexible snout: the long flexible snout of some mammals such as the tapir, the elephant seal, or the proboscis monkey

2. elephant's trunk: the trunk of an elephant or related extinct mammal

3. long mouthparts of invertebrate: the long or tubular mouthparts of some insects, worms, and spiders, used for feeding, sucking, and other purposes

4. large nose: a human nose, especially a large one ( humorous )

[Late 16th century. Via Latin< Greek proboskis "elephant's trunk" < boskein "to feed"]
Advertisement

© 2009 Microsoft