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proboscis
(redirected from proboscides)

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Medical, Wikipedia 0.02 sec.
proboscis
1. a long flexible prehensile trunk or snout, as of an elephant
2. the elongated mouthparts of certain insects, adapted for piercing or sucking food
3. any similar part or organ

proboscis [prə′bäs·kəs]
(invertebrate zoology)
A tubular organ of varying form and function on a large number of invertebrates, such as insects, annelids, and tapeworms.
(vertebrate zoology)
The flexible, elongated snout of certain mammals.


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The cause probably lies in insects being thus enabled to work quicker; they have just learned how to stand in the best position on the flower, and how far and in what direction to insert their proboscides.
 
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