'Proboscides' definitions:

Definition of 'Proboscides'

From: GCIDE
  • Proboscis \Pro*bos"cis\, n.; pl. Proboscides. [L. fr. Gr. ?; ? before + ? to feed, graze.]
  • 1. (Zool.) A hollow organ or tube attached to the head, or connected with the mouth, of various animals, and generally used in taking food or drink; a snout; a trunk. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: The proboscis of an elephant is a flexible muscular elongation of the nose. The proboscis of insects is usually a chitinous tube formed by the modified maxill[ae], or by the labium. See Illusts. of Hemiptera and Lepidoptera. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. (Zool.) By extension, applied to various tubelike mouth organs of the lower animals that can be everted or protruded. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: The proboscis of annelids and of mollusks is usually a portion of the pharynx that can be everted or protruded. That of nemerteans is a special long internal organ, not connected with the mouth, and not used in feeding, but capable of being protruded from a pore in the head. See Illust. in Appendix. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. The nose. [Jocose] [1913 Webster]
  • Proboscis monkey. (Zool.) See Kahau. [1913 Webster]

Words containing 'Proboscides'