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Definition of Proteus
1. Noun. (Greek mythology) a prophetic god who served Poseidon; was capable of changing his shape at will.
2. Noun. Type genus of the Proteidae.
Generic synonyms: Amphibian Genus
Group relationships: Family Proteidae, Proteidae
Member holonyms: Olm, Proteus Anguinus
Definition of Proteus
1. n. A sea god in the service of Neptune who assumed different shapes at will. Hence, one who easily changes his appearance or principles.
Definition of Proteus
1. Proper noun. (Greek god) A sea god who could change his shape at will. ¹
2. Proper noun. (astronomy) The sixth satellite of the planet Neptune ¹
3. Noun. Any of many gram-negative bacteria, of the genus ''Proteus'', several of which are responsible for human infections. ¹
¹ Source: wiktionary.com
Definition of Proteus
1. one that readily changes his appearance or principles [n -ES] / any of a genus of aerobic bacteria [n -TEI]
Lexicographical Neighbors of Proteus
Literary usage of Proteus
Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:
1. The Encyclopedia Americana: A Library of Universal Knowledge (1919)
"Allusions to proteus refer to his power of assuming many forms, as in the adjective,
... proteus, a remarkable genus of urodele amphibians allied to the ..."
2. A Text-book of General Bacteriology by Edwin Oakes Jordan (1921)
"In certain affections of the digestive tract proteus has been frequently held to be
... The real relation of proteus to intestinal infections is, however, ..."
3. Science by American Association for the Advancement of Science (1916)
"Leidy in 1879 described in detail several species of amebas and to one of these
species he applied the name Amoeba proteus, resurrecting Pallas's (1766) old ..."
4. The Americana: A Universal Reference Library, Comprising the Arts and ...edited by Frederick Converse Beach, George Edwin Rines edited by Frederick Converse Beach, George Edwin Rines (1912)
"Allusions to proteus refer to his power of assuming many forms, ... Herodotus relates
that proteus as king of Egypt entertained Paris and Helen, ..."
5. The Works of Francis Bacon, Lord Chancellor of England by Francis Bacon, Basil Montagu (1852)
"THE poets say that proteus was Neptune's herdsman; a grave sire, and so excellent
... For under the person of proteus, the first matter, which, next to God, ..."