Proteus
[ proh-tee-uh s, -tyoos ]
/ ˈproʊ ti əs, -tyus /
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.
RELATED WORDS
toad, frog, salamander, hyla, caecilian, caudate, newt, ambiguity, duplicity, handyman, tinker, factotum, pantologist
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Examples from the Web 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
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Proteus
c.1400, from Greek Proteus (see Protean).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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.
Proteus
[ (proh-tee-uhs, proh-tyoohs) ]
In classical mythology, a god who served Poseidon. Proteus could change his shape at will.
Note
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.