trunk
n
1 [C] main stem of a tree, from which the branches grow 樹干. =>illus at App 1 見附錄1插圖, page i.
2 [C usu sing 通常作單數]
body apart from the head, arms and legs 軀干. =>illus at human見human插圖. Cf 參看 torso.
3 [C] large box with a hinged lid for storing or transporting clothes or other items 大衣箱; 大旅行箱. =>illus at luggage 見 luggage 插圖.
4 [C] long nose of an elephant 象鼻.=>illus at elephant 見 elephant 插圖.
5 trunks [pl]
shorts worn by men or boys for swimming, boxing, etc (男子游泳、 拳擊等時穿的)短褲.
6 [C] (US) boot of a car (汽車後部的)行李箱. =>illus at App 1 見附錄1插圖, page xii.
?? 考研助記
Q: Why do elephants have trunks? A: Because they don't have pockets to put things in. 為什么大象有鼻子呢,因為它們沒有口袋裝東西。這好象有些所答非所問。其實,回答者是利用了trunk的多義形式。因為trunk既可以是“象鼻”,又可以指“皮箱”,所以回答者為了增加幽默效果而采用了“皮箱”的意思來回答。仔細想想,也蠻有道理的。