What does protean mean?
Definitions for protean
ˈproʊ ti ən, proʊˈti-pro·tean
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word protean.
Princeton's WordNet
proteanadjective
taking on different forms
"eyes...of that baffling protean grey which is never twice the same"
Wiktionary
proteanadjective
Exceedingly variable; readily assuming different shapes or forms.
proteanadjective
Of or pertaining to Proteus; characteristic of Proteus.
Proteanadjective
Of or relating to Proteus
Etymology: From Πρωτεύς, the Greek warden of sea beasts, renowned for his ability to change shape.
Wikipedia
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.
ChatGPT
protean
Protean is an adjective used to describe something, or someone, that is capable of changing or adapting often and easily, displaying considerable variety or diversity. It originates from the Greek god Proteus, who could change his shape at will.
Webster Dictionary
Proteanadjective
of or pertaining to Proteus; characteristic of Proteus
Proteanadjective
exceedingly variable; readily assuming different shapes or forms; as, an amoeba is a protean animalcule
Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
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.
Usage in printed sourcesFrom:
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Anagrams for protean »
pronate
operant
tropane
Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of protean in Chaldean Numerology is: 5
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of protean in Pythagorean Numerology is: 8
Examples of protean in a Sentence
Language is a living, kicking, growing, flitting, evolving reality, and the teacher should spontaneously reflect its vibrant and protean qualities.
That's an example of how protean and slippery the stories are and that's why we like them.
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Translations for protean
From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary
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"protean." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 13 Nov. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/protean>.
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