proboscidean

Or pro·bos·cid·i·an

[proh-buh-sid-ee-uhn, -bo-, proh-bos-i-dee-uhn]

adjective

1. pertaining to or resembling a proboscis.

2. having a proboscis.

3. belonging or pertaining to the mammals of the order Proboscidea, characterized by a flexible trunk formed of the nostrils and upper lip, large tusks, a massive body, and columnar legs, comprising numerous families, including the elephant family (Elephantidae), the only proboscidean family with extant species, and the mastodon family (Mammutidae).

noun

1. a proboscidean animal.

proboscidean

/ ˌprəʊbɒˈsɪdɪən /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Proboscidea, an order of massive herbivorous placental mammals having tusks and a long trunk: contains the elephants

noun

1. any proboscidean animal

proboscidean

1. Any of various mammals of the order Proboscidea, having a long trunk, large tusks, and a massive body. The elephants and its extinct relatives, such as the mastodons, are proboscidians.

2. Of or belonging to the order Proboscidea.

Word History and Origins

Origin of proboscidean¹

First recorded in 1825–35; from New Latin Proboscid(ea) order name, from Latin proboscid- (stem of proboscis “snout of an animal, elephant's trunk”), from Greek proboskís (stem proboskíd- ) “means of providing food, elephant's trunk” + -ea, neuter plural of -eus adjective suffix + -an adjective suffix; proboscis, -ean

Example Sentences

The trunks of Platybelodons may be the first example of a proboscidean trunk with the ability to coil and grasp.

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Or, Dr. Miller pondered, “Did they go to the same place, and this is just a crazed region of hormonally-charged proboscideans?”

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Elephants, mammoths and other proboscideans store vast quantities of information in their tusks.

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A design team has been chosen for the redesign of La Brea Tar Pits, and unlike other plans, the winning proposal keeps L.A.'s most famous proboscideans right where they’ve always been.

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Drawing from radiocarbon dates of proboscideans across the central part of North America, Widga and colleagues outlined what was happening to American mastodons towards the end of the Ice Age.

Read more on Scientific American