Definition of proboscis
proboscises
alsoproboscides
play \-ˈbä-sə-ˌdēz\1a : the trunk of an elephant; also : any long flexible snoutb : the human nose especially when prominent
2 : any of various elongated or extensible tubular processes (such as the sucking organ of a butterfly) of the oral region of an invertebrate
From the M-W Editors
Examples of proboscis in a Sentence
if there were a direct relation between mendacity and the length of one's proboscis, hers would be a mile long
Illustration of proboscis
Origin and Etymology of proboscis
Latin, from Greek proboskis, from pro- + boskein to feed
First Known Use: 1601
Other Insect Terms
PROBOSCIS Defined for English Language Learners
proboscis
playDefinition of proboscis for English Language Learners
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biology : the long, thin nose of some animals (such as an elephant)
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biology : a long, thin tube that forms part of the mouth of some insects (such as a butterfly)
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: a person's nose especially when it is very long or big
PROBOSCIS Defined for Kids
proboscis
playDefinition of proboscis for Students
: a long flexible hollow body part (as the trunk of an elephant)
Medical Dictionary
Medical Definition of proboscis
proboscises
alsoproboscides
\-ˈbäs-ə-ˌdēz\play: any of various elongated or extensible tubular organs or processes especially of the oral region of an invertebrate: asa: a sucking organ of insects (as houseflies or mosquitoes) that is often also adapted for piercingb: one of the complex protrusible holdfasts on the scolex of certain tapeworms
Learn More about proboscis
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See words that rhyme with proboscis Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for proboscis Spanish Central: Translation of proboscis Nglish: Translation of proboscis for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about proboscis
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