Proboscis: meaning, definitions and examples

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proboscis

 

[ prษ™หˆbษ’sษชs ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

animal anatomy

A long, flexible, tubular extension of an animal's head or mouth, used for feeding, smelling, or grasping objects.

Synonyms

nose, snout, trunk

Examples of usage

  • The elephant used its proboscis to pick up the peanuts.
  • The butterfly used its proboscis to sip nectar from the flowers.
  • The anteater's long proboscis helped it catch ants.
  • The proboscis monkey has a distinctive nose that resembles a long nose.
  • The mosquito's proboscis is used to pierce the skin and suck blood.
Context #2 | Noun

botany

A tubular or trumpet-shaped flower or inflorescence.

Synonyms

flower tube, trumpet flower

Examples of usage

  • The proboscis of the pitcher plant attracts insects for pollination.
  • The orchid's proboscis-like flower is unique in the garden.
  • The proboscis of the trumpet vine is a favorite of hummingbirds.

Translations

Translations of the word "proboscis" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น probรณscide

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคธเฅ‚เค‚เคก

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Rรผssel

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ belalai

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ั…ะพะฑะพั‚

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ trฤ…ba

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ่ฑกใฎ้ผป

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท trompe

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ trompa

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท hortum

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ฝ”๋ผ๋ฆฌ์˜ ์ฝ”

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฎุฑุทูˆู…

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ chobot

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ chobot

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่ฑก้ผป

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ trobilo

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ raninn

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั‚าฑะผัั‹า›

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒกแƒแƒงแƒแƒ•แƒ”แƒšแƒ—แƒแƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ xortum

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ trompa

Etymology

The word 'proboscis' originated from the Latin word 'proboscis' which means 'elephant's trunk'. It was first used in the English language in the early 17th century to describe the long trunk of an elephant. Over time, the meaning expanded to include other tubular or trumpet-shaped structures in animals and plants. The proboscis is a fascinating adaptation that has evolved in various species for different purposes.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,897, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.