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 (as the sucking organ of a butterfly) of the oral region of an invertebrate
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
-
biology : the long, thin nose of some animals (such as an elephant)
-
biology : a long, thin tube that forms part of the mouth of some insects (such as a butterfly)
-
: 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
-
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
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up proboscis? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!