protrusile

[ proh-troo-sil, -sahyl, pruh- ]

adjective

1. capable of being thrust forth or extended, as the tongue of a hummingbird.

protrusile

/ prəˈtruːsaɪl /

adjective

1. zoology capable of being thrust forwards Alsoprojectile

   protrusile jaws

Word History and Origins

Origin of protrusile¹

1840–50; < Latin prōtrūs ( us ) (past participle of prōtrūdere to protrude ) + -ile

Example Sentences

Goblin sharks are deep-sea fish whose frightening, protrusile jaws served as an inspiration for the terrifying creatures in the “Alien” movie franchise.

From New York Times

She had procured from the chemist a protrusile instrument for letting fluid through the hard outer covering, and in this manner intended to inoculate the milk of the nut with a slow poison.

From Project Gutenberg