trunk

—trunkless, adj.

/trungk/, n.

1. the main stem of a tree, as distinct from the branches and roots.

2. a large, sturdy box or chest for holding or transporting clothes, personal effects, or other articles.

3. a large compartment, usually in the rear of an automobile, in which luggage, a spare tire, and other articles may be kept.

4. the body of a person or an animal excluding the head and limbs; torso.

5. Ichthyol. the part of a fish between the head and the anus.

6. Archit.

a. the shaft of a column.

b. the dado or die of a pedestal.

7. the main channel, artery, or line in a river, railroad, highway, canal, or other tributary system.

8. Telephony, Telegraphy.

a. a telephone line or channel between two central offices or switching devices that is used in providing telephone connections between subscribers generally.

b. a telegraph line or channel between two main or central offices.

9. Anat. the main body of an artery, nerve, or the like, as distinct from its branches.

10. trunks,

a. brief shorts, loose-fitting or tight, worn by men chiefly for boxing, swimming, and track.

b. Obs. See trunk hose.

11. the long, flexible, cylindrical nasal appendage of the elephant.

12. Naut.

a. a large enclosed passage through the decks or bulkheads of a vessel, for cooling, ventilation, or the like.

b. any of various watertight casings in a vessel, as the vertical one above the slot for a centerboard in the bottom of a boat.

13. a conduit; shaft; chute.

adj.

14. of, pertaining to, or noting a main channel or line, as of a railroad or river.

[1400-50; late ME trunke < L truncus stem, trunk, stump, n. use of truncus lopped]

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