PROBOSCIDEAN


Meaning of PROBOSCIDEAN in English

/proh'beuh sid"ee euhn, -bo-, proh bos'i dee"euhn/ , adj.

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 the elephant and the now-extinct mammoth and mastodon.

n.

4. a proboscidean animal.

Also, proboscidian .

[ 1825-35; Proboscide ( a ) order name (L proboscid- (s. of proboscis PROBOSCIS) + -ea, neut. pl. of -eus adj. suffix; see -EOUS) + -AN ]

Random House Webster's Unabridged English dictionary.      Полный английский словарь Вебстер - Random House .