Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
proboscis
noun
/prəˈbɒs.ɪs/
Definition
A long, flexible organ that is often used for feeding and sucking in various animals, particularly insects and some mammals.
Examples
- The elephant uses its proboscis to drink water and pick fruit from trees.
- Butterflies have a proboscis that they use to siphon nectar from flowers.
- The proboscis of the mosquito is adapted for piercing skin to draw blood.
Meaning
The term proboscis refers to a tubular structure that extends from the head of certain animals, specifically designed for consuming liquids or feeding.
Synonyms
- snout
- long nose
- trunk
