proboscis
pronunciation
How to pronounce proboscis in British English:
UK [prəˈbɒsɪs]
How to pronounce proboscis in American English:
US [prəˈbɑsɪs]
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- Noun:
- the human nose (especially when it is large)
- a long flexible snout as of an elephant
Word Origin
- proboscis
- proboscis: [17] The elephant’s trunk was originally called proboscis because it is used for getting food – by pulling down leafy branches, for instance. The word comes via Latin from Greek proboskís, a compound formed from pró ‘in front’ and bóskein ‘feed’.
- proboscis (n.)
- c. 1600, "elephant's trunk," from Latin proboscis (Pliny), from Greek proboskis "elephant's trunk," literally "means for taking food," from pro "forward" (see pro-) + boskein "to nourish, feed," from boskesthai "graze, be fed," from stem *bot- (source of botane "grass, fodder;" see botanic).
Example
- 1. Circumnavigate the rainforest & proboscis monkey centre .
- 2. And he pierce my belly with his proboscis .
- 3. Proboscis monkeys are both arboreal and amphibious , which makes them good climbers and swimmers .
- 4. Stocky insect of drab or metallic coloring and having a proboscis , two wings and short antennae ; there are numerous species .
- 5. When female mosquitoes poke their proboscis through your skin so they can suck some of your blood to be later used to make eggs , they inject you with some of their saliva .