PROBOSCIS


Meaning of PROBOSCIS in English

prōˈbäsə̇s, -äsk- noun

( plural proboscis·es -äsə̇sə̇z, -äsk- ; also probosci·des -äsəˌdēz)

Etymology: Latin, from Greek proboskis, from pro- pro- (I) + boskein to feed — more at botanical

1.

a. : the flexible conspicuously long snout of some mammals (as tapirs, shrews) ; especially : the trunk of an elephant

b. : a tubular organ of varying form and use that extends or that is capable of being extended usually from or near the oral region of many insects and some other invertebrates: as

(1) : a sucking organ of insects (as butterflies, houseflies, mosquitoes) that is often also adapted for piercing

(2) : the anterior muscular protrusible part of the alimentary canal of many annelids

(3) : a prob. tactile and defensive organ of nemertean worms that can be everted through an opening above the mouth

c. : one of the complex protrusible holdfasts on the scolex of certain tapeworms — compare trypanorhyncha

2. : the human nose especially when very long or otherwise prominent

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.