\Pro*bos"cis\, n.; pl. {Proboscides}. [L. fr. Gr. ?; ?
before + ? to feed, graze.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) 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.
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}.
2. (Zo["o]l.) By extension, applied to various tubelike mouth
   organs of the lower animals that can be everted or
   protruded.
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.
3. The nose. [Jocose]
{Proboscis monkey}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Kahau}.