extensile

[ ik-sten-suhl, -sahyl ]

/ ɪkˈstɛn səl, -saɪl /

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adjective Chiefly Zoology, Anatomy.

capable of being extended; adapted for stretching out; extensible; protrusible.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!

Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.

Question 1 of 7

“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

Origin of extensile

First recorded in 1735–45; extens(ion) + -ile

non·ex·ten·sile, adjective

It has an excessively long, slender muzzle, and a warm-like extensile tongue.
The Desert World|Arthur Mangin
It is really astonishing to see what large morsels they can dispose of with the assistance of their extensile mouths and stomachs.
The Sea Shore|William S. Furneaux
The only other North American birds that have a tongue built upon this plan are the hummingbirds, in which also it is extensile.
The Woodpeckers|Fannie Hardy Eckstorm
They are, however, quite extensile, and can readily be made to hold three or four times this amount.
Appletons' Popular Science Monthly, Vol. 56, March 1900|Various

All leeches are very extensile and can contract the body to a plump, pear-shaped form, or extend it to a long and worm-like shape.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 16, Slice 3|Various