proboscis

American  

[proh-bos-is, -kis] / proʊˈbɒs ɪs, -kɪs /

noun

plural

proboscises, proboscides

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 British  

/ 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 Scientific  

/ prō-bŏs′ĭs /

plural

proboscises

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.

---

Etymology

Origin of proboscis

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

Example Sentences

Snuffle and let that sense of curiosity and discovery waft pleasingly over your proboscis.

From Los Angeles Times

Environmentalists have warned that as the capital expands, it may spill over into the habitats of endangered species such as proboscis monkeys, orangutans and gibbons.

From Los Angeles Times

When a mosquito bites you, it pierces the skin using a mouthpart called a proboscis to suck up blood.

From Seattle Times

On closer inspection, another feature of the hummingbird hawk moth quickly catches the eye: the spiralling curled proboscis, which is as long as the entire animal.

From Science Daily

As often happens with scientific investigations, the inspiration came from something else entirely: a hummingbird hawk-moth using its slender proboscis to feed.

From National Geographic