protean
/ˈpɹoʊ.tɪ.ən/
Word Rarity
Very rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.20 in modern English
9
Scrabble Score
7
Letters
3
Syllables
7
Unique Chars
Meaning
adj
Alternative letter-case form of Protean: of or relating to Proteus.
noun
A protein that has been slightly modified by water, dilute acid, or enzymes, but not modified to the extent of a metaprotein.
adj
Of or relating to the god Proteus in Greek mythology.
Example Sentences
- "An amoeba is a protean animalcule."
- "Virus infection of the blood and bone marrow is probably responsible for all forms of the disease. The viral theory of origin accounts for the protean manifestations of the condition."
- "[…] the word's protean expressiveness has been observed in a xeroxlore item printed in Robert Anton Wilson's Playboy's Book of Forbidden Words […]"
- "Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson, that protean creative duo, have worn many faces and played many roles over the years."
- "He loved to show off his protean talent."
- "In the intervening decades she has become a protean figure, an emblem of different things to different people, depending upon their viewpoint — a visionary, a victim, a martyr, a feminist icon, a schizophrenic, a virago, a prisoner of gender — or, perhaps, a genius, as both Plath and Hughes maintained during her lifetime."
Etymology
Etymology tree Ancient Greek Πρωτεύς (Prōteús)bor. English Proteus Proto-Indo-European *-nós Proto-Italic *-nos Proto-Italic *-ānos Latin -ānus Old French -ainder. Middle English -an English -an English protean From Proteus + -an, referring to the Greek warden of sea-beasts, renowned for his ability to change shape.
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈpɹoʊ.tɪ.ən/
- British English: /ˈpɹəʊ.tɪ.ən/
Inflected Forms
Derived Forms
Frequently Paired Words
Synonyms
Homonyms
(dated) protein