The Greek roots of the word 'proboscis'

'Proboscis' is a word borrowed from Greek 'proboskis'. The word entered the English language some time around 1609.

proboscis [noun] [1609]

• the trunk of an elephant
• any long flexible snout
• the human nose especially when prominent
• any of various elongated or extensible tubular processes (as the sucking organ of a butterfly) of the oral region of an...

Meaning: the trunk of an elephant; any long flexible snout; the human nose especially when prominent.

Etymology: Latin; from Greek proboskis; from pro- + boskein to feed.

Topics: Medicine:Anatomy.

Origin: From Greek to English.

See 'proboscis' on the Loan Words Map

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See more loan words from 1600s.