protean

adjective

pro·te·an ˈprō-tē-ən How to pronounce protean (audio)

prō-ˈtē-

: of or resembling Proteus in having a varied nature or ability to assume different forms

: displaying great diversity or variety : versatile

Did you know?

Proteus was the original master of disguise. According to Greek mythology, the grizzled old shepherd of Poseidon's sea creatures possessed the gift of prophecy but didn't like to share his knowledge. Proteus would escape those who wanted to question him by changing his shape. The only way to get a straight answer from him was to sneak up behind him during his midday nap and hold onto him (while he frantically changed from shape to shape) until he eventually revealed what he knew. The adjective protean describes anyone or anything that is as mutable and adaptable as the mythological sea-shepherd.

Example Sentences

a protean actor who is equally comfortable with light comedy and serious drama

Recent Examples on the Web All of Aviv’s subjects, herself included, live at the mercy of social and medical constructions, and yet strive to shape and reshape their irreducible, protean selves.

Jordan Kisner, The Atlantic, 13 Sep. 2022 The show's politics were either protean or static in a changing world.

Darren Franich, EW.com, 8 Sep. 2022 Democracy is a famously protean term, and Frankfurter too often failed to appreciate that the judiciary’s invalidation of laws can support democratic values rather than subvert them.

Justin Driver, The Atlantic, 12 Aug. 2022 The Armory has been a protean play space, some inspiring combination of coliseum, soundstage and great chamber.

Peter Marks, Washington Post, 8 July 2022 The Sun is dying and a bomb the size of Manhattan is all that can save it in this thrill ride from protean filmmaker Danny Boyle.

Randall Colburn, EW.com, 16 May 2022 When a protean hermeneutic rules, confusion inevitably results.

WSJ, 12 May 2022 Making decisions about what is or isn’t safe in a protean pandemic is a mental workout, essentially asking your brain to do burpees in a funhouse of distorted logic.

Lila Thulin, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 May 2022 English is a big, big language — a sprawling, protean language — adopting and assimilating words and phrases from all over the world.

Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 21 Apr. 2022 See More

单词	protean
释义	protean adjective pro·te·an ˈprō-tē-ən prō-ˈtē- 1 : of or resembling Proteus in having a varied nature or ability to assume different forms 2 : displaying great diversity or variety : versatile Did you know? Proteus was the original master of disguise. According to Greek mythology, the grizzled old shepherd of Poseidon's sea creatures possessed the gift of prophecy but didn't like to share his knowledge. Proteus would escape those who wanted to question him by changing his shape. The only way to get a straight answer from him was to sneak up behind him during his midday nap and hold onto him (while he frantically changed from shape to shape) until he eventually revealed what he knew. The adjective protean describes anyone or anything that is as mutable and adaptable as the mythological sea-shepherd. Synonyms adaptable all-around all-round universal versatile See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences a protean actor who is equally comfortable with light comedy and serious drama Recent Examples on the Web All of Aviv’s subjects, herself included, live at the mercy of social and medical constructions, and yet strive to shape and reshape their irreducible, protean selves. Jordan Kisner, The Atlantic, 13 Sep. 2022 The show's politics were either protean or static in a changing world. Darren Franich, EW.com, 8 Sep. 2022 Democracy is a famously protean term, and Frankfurter too often failed to appreciate that the judiciary’s invalidation of laws can support democratic values rather than subvert them. Justin Driver, The Atlantic, 12 Aug. 2022 The Armory has been a protean play space, some inspiring combination of coliseum, soundstage and great chamber. Peter Marks, Washington Post, 8 July 2022 The Sun is dying and a bomb the size of Manhattan is all that can save it in this thrill ride from protean filmmaker Danny Boyle. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 16 May 2022 When a protean hermeneutic rules, confusion inevitably results. WSJ, 12 May 2022 Making decisions about what is or isn’t safe in a protean pandemic is a mental workout, essentially asking your brain to do burpees in a funhouse of distorted logic. Lila Thulin, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 May 2022 English is a big, big language — a sprawling, protean language — adopting and assimilating words and phrases from all over the world. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 21 Apr. 2022 See More Word History First Known Use 1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Medical Definition protean 1 of 2 adjective pro·te·an ˈprōt-ē-ən, prō-ˈtē- : displaying great diversity or variety a disease with protean clinical manifestations protean 2 of 2 noun pro·te·an ˈprōt-ē-ən : any of various insoluble primary protein derivatives that result from a slight modification of the protein molecule especially by the action of water, very dilute acids, or enzymes protean adjective as in versatile able to do many different kinds of things a protean actor who is equally comfortable with light comedy and serious drama Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance versatile adaptable skilled skillful universal all-round flexible multipurpose adept all-around variable malleable able proficient pliant changeable adjustable supple fluid modifiable experienced general-purpose ace alterable pliable elastic masterful well-rounded plastic mixed-use expert Antonyms & Near Antonyms limited amateur inexperienced
随便看	agglomerating agglomeration agglomeration economy agglomerations agglomerative agglomerator agglomerators agglutinabilities agglutinability agglutinable agglutinants agglutinate agglutinated agglutinates agglutinating agglutination agglutinations agglutinative agglutinin agglutinins agglutinogen agglutinogenic agglutinogens agglutinoid aggraces

protean

adjective

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Medical Definition

adjective

noun

adjective