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
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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
Recent Examples of proboscis from the Web
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This implies that Macrauchenia may have had a mobile proboscis, as pictured here.
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Having a big nose: structure, ontogeny, and function of the elephant seal proboscis.
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While one tube in the proboscis draws blood, a second pumps in saliva containing a mild painkiller and an anti-coagulant.
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The males’ large trunk-like nose, called a proboscis, helps them produce their signature sound and is the namesake for the species.
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The assassin bug's deadly proboscis is both sword and siphon.
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Rather, the team of SNL makeup artists and costume people had roughly four minutes to execute that transition, attaching a proboscis-like mask to McKinnon's face and draping her in nets and seaweed.
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The extending proboscis of Alberto Giacometti’s Nose may recall the organic extensions of the Dendrochilum wenzelii.
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The Mongolian saiga is a subspecies, smaller and stockier than its Kazakhstan counterparts, with horns of a different shape and a slightly more refined proboscis.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'proboscis.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Illustration of proboscis
Origin and Etymology of proboscis
Latin, from Greek proboskis, from pro- + boskein to feed
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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