trunk

UK: trʌŋk | US: trʌŋk

Definition

  1. n. the main stem of a tree

  2. n. a large, sturdy box for storage or travel

  3. n. the elongated nose of an elephant

  4. n. the torso of a human or animal

  5. n. (US) the storage compartment of a car

Structure
trunk <main stem or body>
Etymology

The word "trunk" originates from the Latin truncus, meaning "cut off piece" or "stem," reflecting its early use to describe the main stem of a tree (a "cut-off" part of the plant). Over time, the meaning expanded metaphorically to include:

  1. The sturdy, central part of objects (e.g., storage boxes, car compartments).
  2. The torso (the "central" part of the body).
  3. The elephant’s nose (resembling a thick, flexible stem). The semantic thread ties back to the idea of a central, robust structure.
Examples

No data yet.