proboscis

Everyday

1. A proboscis is a long, bendy nose or snout, like an elephant's trunk or a tapir's snout. tree →
2. A proboscis is also the long, tube-like mouthpart of some insects, like butterflies and mosquitoes, used for sucking up food. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons on adaptation, a butterfly uncoils its proboscis like a straw to drink nectar, then rolls it up; a mosquito uses its proboscis to pierce skin and drink blood. The proboscis monkey of Borneo has a huge, dangly nose. In stories, «proboscis» is a funny, grand word for a big nose. Phrases: «a butterfly's proboscis», «proboscis monkey».

Examples

• The butterfly uncurled its proboscis to drink nectar. tree →
• A mosquito bites with its proboscis. tree →
• An elephant's trunk is a kind of proboscis. tree →
• The proboscis monkey has an enormous nose. tree →
• A moth's proboscis can be longer than its body. tree →
• The bee pushed its proboscis deep into the flower. tree →

Note

Say it "pro-BOSS-iss" (the c is silent). Plural: «proboscises» (also «proboscides» in science). A tricky spelling: -scis.