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

  1. proteanadjective

    taking on different forms

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

Wiktionary

  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.

Wikipedia

  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.

ChatGPT

  1. 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

  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 Dictionary

  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.

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

Anagrams for protean »

  1. pronate

  2. operant

  3. tropane

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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

protean#100000#113861#333333

Translations for protean

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"protean." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 13 Nov. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/protean>.

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