Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PRO-BOS'CIS, n. [L. from the Gr. προβοσκις; προ, before, and βοσκω, to feed or graze.]

The snout or trunk of an elephant and of other analogous animals, and particularly of insects. The proboscis of an elephant is a flexible muscular pipe or canal of about eight feet in length, and is properly the extension of the nose. This is the instrument with which he takes food and carries it to his mouth. The proboscis of insects is used to suck blood from animals, or juice from plants.