Definitions for protean
ˈproʊ ti ən, proʊˈti-pro·tean

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:1.0 / 1 vote

1. proteanadjective

   taking on different forms

   "eyes...of that baffling protean grey which is never twice the same"

WiktionaryRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. proteanadjective

   Exceedingly variable; readily assuming different shapes or forms.

2. proteanadjective

   Of or pertaining to Proteus; characteristic of Proteus.

3. Proteanadjective

   Of or relating to Proteus

4. Etymology: From Πρωτεύς, the Greek warden of sea beasts, renowned for his ability to change shape.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. protean

   In Greek mythology, Proteus (; Ancient Greek: Πρωτεύς, Prōteus) is an early prophetic sea god or god of rivers and oceanic bodies of water, one of several deities whom Homer calls the "Old Man of the Sea" (hálios gérôn). Some who ascribe a specific domain to Proteus call him the god of "elusive sea change", which suggests the constantly changing nature of the sea or the liquid quality of water. He can foretell the future, but, in a mytheme familiar to several cultures, will change his shape to avoid doing so; he answers only to those who are capable of capturing him. From this feature of Proteus comes the adjective protean, meaning "versatile", "mutable", or "capable of assuming many forms". "Protean" has positive connotations of flexibility, versatility and adaptability.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:3.0 / 1 vote

1. Proteanadjective

   of or pertaining to Proteus; characteristic of Proteus

2. Proteanadjective

   exceedingly variable; readily assuming different shapes or forms; as, an amoeba is a protean animalcule

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Protean

   prō′tē-an, adj. readily assuming different shapes, like Proteus, the sea-god, fabled to have the power of changing himself into an endless variety of forms: variable: inconstant.

Anagrams for protean »

1. pronate

2. operant

3. tropane

How to pronounce protean?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say protean in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of protean in Chaldean Numerology is: 5

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of protean in Pythagorean Numerology is: 8

Examples of protean in a Sentence

1. John A. Rassias:

   Language is a living, kicking, growing, flitting, evolving reality, and the teacher should spontaneously reflect its vibrant and protean qualities.

2. Robert Douglas-Fairhurst:

   That's an example of how protean and slippery the stories are and that's why we like them.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=protean
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Protean
3. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protean
4. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/protean
5. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=protean