trunk
/trʌŋk/ (bre, ipa) · /trʌŋk/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈtrəŋk/ (ame, mw)
trunk — noun
- trunksingular
- trunksplural
1. a tree's main upright section, made of solid wood, from which all its branches g
a tree's main upright section, made of solid wood, from which all its branches grow outward
Yael carved her initials into the trunk of the maple tree in the garden.
carved into the trunk
The trunk of the old oak tree was covered in thick, rough bark.
After the storm, a large branch broke off the trunk of the pine tree.
The children measured the trunk of the biggest tree in the park.
Wood from the trunk is often used to make furniture and wooden floors.
用法筆記
Distinguish from 'stem': 'trunk' refers specifically to large, woody trees, while 'stem' is used for smaller plants like flowers or vegetables.
常見錯誤
2. the large middle portion of a human frame, running from the neck down to the hip
the large middle portion of a human frame, running from the neck down to the hips, not counting the head, arms, or legs
The doctor asked the patient to move his trunk from side to side during the check-up.
move his trunk from side to side
Diya's yoga teacher told her to keep her trunk straight while bending forward.
The seat belt should sit across your trunk, not against your neck or face.
In anatomy class, the students studied the muscles of the human trunk.
Hamza felt a sharp pain in his trunk after lifting the heavy box incorrectly.
用法筆記
More common in formal, medical, or anatomical writing. In everyday conversation, 'torso' or simply 'body' is more natural.
常見錯誤
3. the unbranched starting section of an anatomical structure like a nerve or major
the unbranched starting section of an anatomical structure like a nerve or major blood passage, from which smaller offshoots branch out to reach various body areas
The surgeon carefully avoided damaging the main trunk of the facial nerve.
main trunk of the facial nerve
The pulmonary trunk carries deoxygenated blood from the heart toward the lungs.
A blood clot blocked the main trunk of the artery that supplies the leg.
The nerve trunk divides into smaller branches that reach the fingertips.
用法筆記
Technical term used in anatomy and medicine. Always paired with a modifier specifying the vessel or nerve type, such as 'pulmonary trunk', 'nerve trunk', or 'arterial trunk'.
4. the long, flexible snout of an elephant, used for breathing, smelling, grasping
the long, flexible snout of an elephant, used for breathing, smelling, grasping objects, drinking, and making sounds
The elephant used its trunk to spray water over its back on the hot day.
used its trunk to spray water
A young elephant wrapped its trunk around its mother's tail to stay close.
wrapped its trunk around
The elephant picked up a piece of fruit with the tip of its trunk.
Ari watched in wonder as the elephant's trunk gently touched the child's hand.
- proboscis
technical zoology term for a long flexible snout; rarely used in everyday speech
用法筆記
Only used for elephants. Other animals have 'snouts', 'noses', or 'proboscises' — never 'trunks'.
常見錯誤
5. a roomy, robust chest typically made of wood or metal, having a hinged cover, me
a roomy, robust chest typically made of wood or metal, having a hinged cover, meant for keeping or moving personal possessions
They packed all their clothes into a large wooden trunk before the move.
packed into a wooden trunk
The old trunk in the attic was full of letters and black-and-white photographs.
Femi bought a sturdy metal trunk to store camping equipment for the trip.
Maja opened the trunk and found her grandmother's wedding dress carefully folded inside.
用法筆記
Less common in modern travel, where wheeled suitcases have largely replaced traditional trunks for transport.
6. the rear storage area inside a car, separate from the passenger seats, where ite
the rear storage area inside a car, separate from the passenger seats, where items such as bags, shopping, and tools are kept
Rin put the shopping bags in the trunk of the blue sedan.
put [items] in the trunk
Jack's tennis rackets and sports bag fit easily into the trunk.
The spare tyre is stored in a small compartment under the trunk floor.
Otis opened the trunk and took out a blanket and some bottles of water.
- boot
British English term for the same compartment at the back of a car
用法筆記
Called the 'boot' in British English. Not used for motorcycles, bicycles, or most two-wheeled vehicles.
常見錯誤
7. short trousers worn by males for swimming, designed to cover the hips and upper
short trousers worn by males for swimming, designed to cover the hips and upper legs, typically made of quick-drying fabric
Joaquín put on his swimming trunks and ran toward the pool.
put on his swimming trunks
The shop sells swimming trunks in navy blue, black, and bright red.
sells swimming trunks in [colours]
Élise packed a pair of swimming trunks for her brother before the beach trip.
Rin's swimming trunks were still wet from the morning swim at the beach.
- swim shorts
more general term that can include longer board shorts; less specific than 'trunks'
用法筆記
Always plural ('trunks' or 'swimming trunks') even for a single garment. 'Swim trunks' is also common in American English. A 'pair of swimming trunks' is the standard way to refer to one item.
常見錯誤
8. close-fitting underwear worn by men, covering the hips and upper thighs, shorter
close-fitting underwear worn by men, covering the hips and upper thighs, shorter and tighter than boxer shorts
The store sells comfortable cotton trunks for men and teenage boys.
cotton trunks
Aoi bought three pairs of black trunks from the clothing section.
The trunks have a soft waistband that does not press into the skin.
Otis prefers trunks over boxers because the fit is closer to the body.
- boxers
loose-fitting rather than close-fitting underwear
用法筆記
Always plural ('trunks'). Less common than 'boxers' or 'briefs' for everyday reference. 'Trunks' are shorter and fit more closely than boxers.