Problematic
(Prob`lem*at"ic Prob`lem*at"ic*al) a. [L. problematicus, Gr. : cf. F. problématique.] Having
the nature of a problem; not shown in fact; questionable; uncertain; unsettled; doubtful. — Prob`lem*at"ic*al*ly,
adv.
Diligent inquiries into remote and problematical guilt leave a gate wide open to . . . informers.
Swift. Problematist
(Prob"lem*a*tist) n. One who proposes problems. [R.] Evelyn.
Problematize
(Prob"lem*a*tize) v. t. To propose problems. [R.] "Hear him problematize." B. Jonson.
Proboscidate
(Pro*bos"ci*date) a. [See Proboscis.] (Zoöl.) Having a proboscis; proboscidial.
Proboscidea
(||Pro`bos*cid"e*a) n. pl. [NL. See Proboscis.] (Zoöl.) An order of large mammals including
the elephants and mastodons.
Proboscidean
(Pro`bos*cid"e*an) a. (Zoöl.) Proboscidian.
Proboscidial
(Pro`bos*cid"i*al) a. (Zoöl.) Proboscidate.
Proboscidian
(Pro`bos*cid"i*an) a. (Zoöl.) Pertaining to the Proboscidea. — n. One of the Proboscidea.
Proboscidifera
(||Pro*bos`ci*dif"e*ra) n. pl. [NL. See Proboscis, and -ferous.]
1. (Zoöl.) An extensive division of pectinibranchiate gastropods, including those that have a long retractile
proboscis, with the mouth at the end, as the cones, whelks, tritons, and cowries. See Illust. of Gastropoda,
and of Winkle.
2. (Zoöl.) A subdivision of the tænioglossate gastropods, including the fig-shells the helmet shells the
tritons, and allied genera.
Proboscidiform
(Pro`bos*cid"i*form) a. Having the form or uses of a proboscis; as, a proboscidiform
mouth.
Proboscis
(Pro*bos"cis) n.; pl. Proboscides [L. fr. Gr. before + to feed, graze.]
1. (Zoöl.) 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.
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 maxillæ, or by the labium. See Illusts. of Hemiptera and
Lepidoptera.
2. (Zoöl.) By extension, applied to various tubelike mouth organs of the lower animals that can be everted
or protruded.
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. (Zoöl.) See Kahau.
