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Proteus

[ proh-tee-uh s, -tyoos ]
/ ˈproʊ ti əs, -tyus /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR Proteus ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

Classical Mythology. a sea god, son of Oceanus and Tethys, noted for his ability to assume different forms and to prophesy.
a person or thing that readily changes appearance, character, principles, etc.
plural pro·te·i [proh-tee-ahy] /ˈproʊ tiˌaɪ/. (lowercase) Bacteriology. any of several rod-shaped, aerobic bacteria of the genus Proteus, sometimes found as pathogens in the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts of humans.

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Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to proteus

toad, frog, salamander, hyla, caecilian, caudate, newt, ambiguity, duplicity, handyman, tinker, factotum, pantologist

Example sentences from the Web for proteus

British Dictionary definitions for proteus

Proteus
/ (ˈprəʊtɪəs) /

noun

Greek myth a prophetic sea god capable of changing his shape at will
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for proteus

Proteus
[ prō′tē-əs ]

n.

A genus of gram-negative, rod-shaped aerobic bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae that includes certain species associated with human enteritis and urinary tract infections.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Cultural definitions for proteus

Proteus
[ (proh-tee-uhs, proh-tyoohs) ]

In classical mythology, a god who served Poseidon. Proteus could change his shape at will.

notes for Proteus

Someone or something that easily takes on several different forms may be called “protean.”
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.