The Collaborative International Dictionary
Trunk \Trunk\, n. [F. tronc, L. truncus, fr. truncus maimed, mutilated; perhaps akin to torquere to twist wrench, and E. torture. Trunk in the sense of proboscis is fr. F. trompe (the same word as trompe a trumpet), but has been confused in English with trunk the stem of a tree (see Trump a trumpet). Cf. Truncate.]
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The stem, or body, of a tree, apart from its limbs and roots; the main stem, without the branches; stock; stalk.
About the mossy trunk I wound me soon, For, high from ground, the branches would require Thy utmost reach.
--Milton. The body of an animal, apart from the head and limbs.
The main body of anything; as, the trunk of a vein or of an artery, as distinct from the branches.
(Arch) That part of a pilaster which is between the base and the capital, corresponding to the shaft of a column.
(Zo["o]l.) That segment of the body of an insect which is between the head and abdomen, and bears the wings and legs; the thorax; the truncus.
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(Zo["o]l.)
The proboscis of an elephant.
The proboscis of an insect.
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A long tube through which pellets of clay, p?as, etc., are driven by the force of the breath.
He shot sugarplums them out of a trunk.
--Howell. -
A box or chest usually covered with leather, metal, or cloth, or sometimes made of leather, hide, or metal, for containing clothes or other goods; especially, one used to convey the effects of a traveler.
Locked up in chests and trunks.
--Shak. (Mining) A flume or sluice in which ores are separated from the slimes in which they are contained.
(Steam Engine) A large pipe forming the piston rod of a steam engine, of sufficient diameter to allow one end of the connecting rod to be attached to the crank, and the other end to pass within the pipe directly to the piston, thus making the engine more compact.
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A long, large box, pipe, or conductor, made of plank or metal plates, for various uses, as for conveying air to a mine or to a furnace, water to a mill, grain to an elevator, etc.
Trunk engine, a marine engine, the piston rod of which is a trunk. See Trunk, 10.
Trunk hose, large breeches formerly worn, reaching to the knees.
Trunk line, the main line of a railway, canal, or route of conveyance.
Trunk turtle (Zo["o]l.), the leatherback.
WordNet
n. puffed breeches of the 16th and 17th centuries usually worn over hose
Usage examples of "trunk hose".
But this, this, this foul viper and toad of the commonweal, this flouter, this sneerer, this minor satan in trunk hose and foolish smirk, shall to Tower Hill and his condign end.
He washed and carefully shaved the light stubble from his face, then garbed himself casually in suede trunk hose, dark stockings, and a fine white linen shirt.
Thus Lockridge chose what he imagined was a prosperous man's travelling garb: linen underclothes and shirt, satin doublet, crimson trunk hose, high boots, floppy-brimmed cap, blue cloak trimmed with fur, sword and knife (the latter doubtless mainly for eating purposes), and miscellaneous gear that he could only guess about.
He had already found the elegant men's shops on the Piazza Navona and brought to Michelangelo's house a new outfit of black trunk hose, a shirt, gold-embroidered hip-length cloak and a small ribbed cap, worn on the side of the head.
His doublet and trunk hose were well cut, and he had on the newer, fuller ruff that was just coming into fashion then.