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“protean”
protean, protein
protean (PROH tee uhn, proh TEE uhn) (adjective)
1. Concerning an individual who exhibits great diversity: The population in the city could be described as protean, as reflected in the more than 150 different languages that were spoken in the schools in the city.
2. Pertaining to a person or a thing that is readily able to assume different characters or forms: The protean nature of the friendly ghost in the house was baffling, sometimes appearing like a puppy and other times like a wisp of smoke.
2. Pertaining to a person or a thing that is readily able to assume different characters or forms: The protean nature of the friendly ghost in the house was baffling, sometimes appearing like a puppy and other times like a wisp of smoke.
protein (PROH teen", PROH tee in) (noun)
Any of a number of naturally occurring or synthetic complex amino acids essential for all living cells: Harry eats eggs and cheese instead of meat to get his protein for the day.
The food guide issued by the health department included a list of protean ways to get protein in people's diets without necessarily eating lots of meat.
This entry is located in the following unit:
Confusing Words Clarified: Group P; Homonyms, Homophones, Homographs, Synonyms, Polysemes, etc. +
(page 10)
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“protean”
protean (adjective), more protean, most protean
1. A reference to the nature of something or someone that is able to assume different shapes, forms, or roles easily: When Mildred is described as a protean genius of novels, it means that not only was she brilliant, but that she utilized her talents to write in many styles.
2. Relating to the variety or great diversity of skills or aptitudes a person can display; many-sided; changeable: It is believed that, as a versatile musical composer, Shostakovich's protean talents resulted in many wonderful styles of music.
3. Etymology: from Greek proteus, "sea god who could change into many different shapes."
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2. Relating to the variety or great diversity of skills or aptitudes a person can display; many-sided; changeable: It is believed that, as a versatile musical composer, Shostakovich's protean talents resulted in many wonderful styles of music.
3. Etymology: from Greek proteus, "sea god who could change into many different shapes."
Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
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This entry is located in the following unit:
English Words in Action, Group P
(page 4)