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protean

American  
[proh-tee-uhn, proh-tee-] / ˈproʊ ti ən, proʊˈti- /

adjective

  1. readily assuming different forms or characters; extremely variable.

  2. changeable in shape or form, as an amoeba.

  3. (of an actor or actress) versatile; able to play many kinds of roles.

  4. (initial capital letter) of, relating to, or suggestive of Proteus.

protean British  
/ ˈprəʊtɪən, prəʊˈtiːən /

adjective

  1. readily taking on various shapes or forms; variable

"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

Other Word Forms

  • proteanism noun

Etymology

Origin of protean

First recorded in 1590–1600; Prote(us) + -an

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.