protean
adjective
- extremely variable
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈpɹəʊ.tɪ.ən/ / /pɹəʊˈtiː.ən/ / /ˈpɹoʊ.tɪ.ən/
adj
Etymology: Etymology tree Ancient Greek Πρωτεύς (Prōteús)bor. English Proteus Proto-Indo-European *-nós Proto-Italic *-nos Latin -nus Latin -ānus Old French -ainder. Middle English -an English -an English protean From Proteus + -an, referrring to the Greek warden of sea-beasts, renowned for his ability to change shape.
- Exceedingly variable; readily assuming different shapes or forms.
“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.”
- Alternative letter-case form of Protean: of or relating to Proteus.
noun
Etymology: Etymology tree Ancient Greek Πρωτεύς (Prōteús)bor. English Proteus Proto-Indo-European *-nós Proto-Italic *-nos Latin -nus Latin -ānus Old French -ainder. Middle English -an English -an English protean From Proteus + -an, referrring to the Greek warden of sea-beasts, renowned for his ability to change shape.
- A protein that has been slightly modified by water, dilute acid, or enzymes, but not modified to the extent of a metaprotein.