elephant trunk
The term "elephant trunk" has diverse meanings across biology, industry, astronomy, and symbolism, reflecting its versatile nature.
Definition
B2Biology
(general)The long, flexible nose of an elephant used for various functions including breathing, smelling, and grasping.
Example
- The elephant used its trunk to pick up the log and move it aside.
- An elephant's trunk is incredibly strong and versatile.
C1Industry
(technical)A flexible chute used to direct materials like coal or concrete to minimize dust and spatter.
Example
- The workers used an elephant trunk to efficiently direct the concrete into the mold.
- To reduce dust, an elephant trunk was attached to the coal chute.
C2Astronomy
(technical)A pillar-like mass of interstellar gas and dust found near a massive star.
Example
- The telescope captured a stunning image of the elephant trunk nebula.
- Astronomers study elephant trunks to understand star formation.
C1Symbolism
(cultural)The direction of an elephant's nose, which is believed to have different meanings such as good fortune or stability.
Example
- An elephant with its trunk up is often seen as a symbol of good luck.
- In some cultures, an elephant with its trunk down represents wisdom and stability.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "elephant trunk":
elephant's trunkelephant legelephant trapelephant earelephant walkelephant juiceelephant's footwhite elephantelephant appleelephant grassrogue elephantelephants' graveyardsee the elephant