elephant trunk

The term "elephant trunk" has diverse meanings across biology, industry, astronomy, and symbolism, reflecting its versatile nature.

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ US Voice:
πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ UK Voice:

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