PROBOSCIS


Meaning of PROBOSCIS in English

[ prə'bɒsɪs ]

■ noun ( plural probosces -si:z , proboscides -sɪdi:z , or ~es )

1》 the nose of a mammal, especially when long and mobile like the trunk of an elephant.

2》 Zoology an elongated sucking organ or mouthpart.

Origin

C17: via L. from Gk proboskis 'means of obtaining food', from pro 'before' + boskein '(cause to) feed'.

Concise Oxford English vocab.      Сжатый оксфордский словарь английского языка.