Part 554

Plane problem (Geom.), a problem that can be solved by the use of the rule and compass. -- Solid problem (Geom.), a problem requiring in its geometric solution the use of a conic section or higher curve.

{ Prob`lem*at"ic (?), Prob`lem*at"ic*al (?), } a. [L. problematicus, Gr. &?;: cf. F. problÈmatique.] Having the nature of a problem; not shown in fact; questionable; uncertain; unsettled; doubtful. -- Prob`lem*at"ic*al*ly, adv.

Diligent inquiries into remote and problematical guilt leave a gate wide open to . . . informers.

Swift.

Prob"lem*a*tist (?), n. One who proposes problems. [R.] Evelyn.

Prob"lem*a*tize (?), v. t. To propose problems. [R.] "Hear him problematize." B. Jonson.

Pro*bos"ci*date (?), a. [See Proboscis.] (Zoˆl.) Having a proboscis; proboscidial.

||Pro`bos*cid"e*a (?), n. pl. [NL. See Proboscis.] (Zoˆl.) An order of ||large mammals including the elephants and mastodons.

Pro`bos*cid"e*an (?), a. (Zoˆl.) Proboscidian.

Pro`bos*cid"i*al (?), a. (Zoˆl.) Proboscidate.

Pro`bos*cid"i*an (?), a. (Zoˆl.) Pertaining to the Proboscidea. -- n. One of the Proboscidea.

||Pro*bos`ci*dif"e*ra (?), n. pl. [NL. See Proboscis, and -ferous.]

1. (Zoˆl.) An extensive division of pectinibranchiate gastropods, including those that have a long retractile proboscis, with the mouth at the end, as the cones, whelks, tritons, and cowries. See Illust. of Gastropoda, and of Winkle.

2. (Zoˆl.) A subdivision of the tÊnioglossate gastropods, including the fig-shells (Pyrula), the helmet shells (Cassis), the tritons, and allied genera.

Pro`bos*cid"i*form (?), a. Having the form or uses of a proboscis; as, a proboscidiform mouth.

Pro*bos"cis (?), n.; pl. Proboscides (#). [L. fr. Gr. &?;; &?; before + &?; to feed, graze.] 1. (Zoˆl.) A hollow organ or tube attached to the head, or connected with the mouth, of various animals, and generally used in taking food or drink; a snout; a trunk.

The proboscis of an elephant is a flexible muscular elongation of the nose. The proboscis of insects is usually a chitinous tube formed by the modified maxillÊ, or by the labium. See Illusts. of Hemiptera and Lepidoptera.

2. (Zoˆl.) By extension, applied to various tubelike mouth organs of the lower animals that can be everted or protruded.

The proboscis of annelids and of mollusks is usually a portion of the pharynx that can be everted or protruded. That of nemerteans is a special long internal organ, not connected with the mouth, and not used in feeding, but capable of being protruded from a pore in the head. See Illust. in Appendix.

3. The nose. [Jocose]

Proboscis monkey. (Zoˆl.) See Kahau.

Pro*ca"cious (?), a. [L. procax, -acis, fr. procare to ask, demand.] Pert; petulant; forward; saucy. [R.] Barrow.

Pro*cac"i*ty (?), n. [L. procacitas.] Forwardness; pertness; petulance. [R.] Burton.

||Pro*cam"bi*um (?), n. [NL. See Pro- , and Cambium.] (Bot.) The young ||tissue of a fibrovascular bundle before its component cells have ||begun to be differentiated. Sachs.

Pro`cat*arc"tic (?), a. [Gr. &?; beginning beforehand. fr. &?; to begin first; &?; before + &?; to begin; &?; intens. + &?; to begin: cf. F. procatarctique. ] (Med.) Beginning; predisposing; exciting; initial. [Obs.]

The words procatarctic causes have been used with different significations. Thus they have been employed synonymously with prime causes, exciting causes, and predisposing or remote causes.

The physician inquires into the procatarctic causes.

Harvey.