proboscis

[ proh-bos-is, -kis ]

noun

, plural pro·bos·cis·es, pro·bos·ci·des [proh-, bos, -i-deez].

1. the trunk of an elephant.
2. any long flexible snout, as of the tapir.
3. Also called beak. the elongate, protruding mouth parts of certain insects, adapted for sucking or piercing.
4. any of various elongate feeding, defensive, or sensory organs of the oral region, as in certain leeches and worms.
5. Facetious. the human nose, especially when unusually long or prominent.

proboscis

/ prəʊˈbɒsɪs /

noun

1. a long flexible prehensile trunk or snout, as of an elephant
2. the elongated mouthparts of certain insects, adapted for piercing or sucking food
3. any similar part or organ
4. informal.
   a person's nose, esp if large

proboscis

/ prō-bŏs′ĭs /

, Plural proboscises prō-bŏs′ĭ-dēz′

1. A long, flexible snout or trunk, as of an elephant.
2. The slender, tubular feeding and sucking organ of certain invertebrates, such as butterflies and mosquitoes.

Word History and Origins

Origin of proboscis¹

1570–80; < Latin < Greek proboskís elephant's trunk, literally, feeder, equivalent to pro- pro- ² + bósk ( ein ) to feed + -is (stem -id- ) noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of proboscis¹

C17: via Latin from Greek proboskis trunk of an elephant, from boskein to feed

Example Sentences

Sure, he’s an outdated reference, but he was also known for having a prominent proboscis, or in other words, a big nose.

From Popular-Science

Local tour guides have seen a proboscis male hanging around a troop of female silvered leaf monkeys.

From Science News For Students

The animals cannot disperse and, in this case, the male of the larger species — the proboscis monkey — can easily displace the male silvered leaf monkey.

From Science News

The insects expertly stalk and feed upon other small invertebrates, jabbing them with a venomous proboscis.

From Science News

There are two suction pumps in the female’s head, the smallest of the two at the end of her proboscis, and the larger one at the base of the throat, or oesophagus.

From Popular-Science

Nobody had cakes for themselves, and it would have been far easier to place a gold piece in the twirling proboscis.

From Project Gutenberg

In specimens with the proboscis drawn in, the nerve cord is of course doubled back on itself.

From Project Gutenberg

The mouth parts form a proboscis, which is tonguelike, the animal obtaining its food by lapping and sucking.

From Project Gutenberg

Its nose is very long, and extends into a short proboscis; but there is no finger at the end of it like that of the elephant.

From Project Gutenberg

The Brachyderes has a massive proboscis, cut off short; the Balaninus seems to be smoking an insanely long cigarette-holder.

From Project Gutenberg