Protasis, prot′a-sis, n. (rhet.) the first part of a conditional sentence—opp. to Apodosis: the first part of a dramatic composition.—adj. Protat′ic. [Gr.,—pro, before, tasis, a stretching, teinein, to stretch.]
Protean, prō′tē-an, adj. readily assuming different shapes, like Proteus, the sea-god, fabled to have the power of changing himself into an endless variety of forms: variable: inconstant.
Protect, prō-tekt′, v.t. to cover in front: to cover over: to shield from danger: to defend: to shelter.—adv. Protec′tingly.—ns. Protec′tion, act of protecting: state of being protected: preservation: defence: that which protects: guard: refuge: security: a writing guaranteeing against molestation or interference: passport: a fostering of home produce and manufactures by laying taxes on the importation of foreign goods; Protec′tionism, the doctrine of the protectionists; Protec′tionist, one who favours the protection of trade by law.—adj. favouring the economic doctrine of protection.—adj. Protec′tive, affording protection: defensive: sheltering.—n. that which protects.—adv. Protec′tively.—ns. Protec′tiveness; Protec′tor, one who protects from injury or oppression: a guardian: a regent:—fem. Protec′tress, Protec′trix.—adjs. Protec′toral, Protectō′rial, pertaining to a protector or a regent.—n. Protec′torāte, government by a protector: the authority assumed by a superior: relation assumed by a strong nation to a weak one, whereby the latter is protected from hostile or foreign interference.—adj. Protec′torless.—ns. Protec′torship; Protec′tory, an institution for destitute children. [L., pro, in front, tegĕre, tectum, to cover.]
Protégé, prō-tā-zhā′, n. one under the protection of another: a pupil: a ward:—fem. Protégée. [Fr., pa.p. of protéger, to protect—L. protegĕre.]
Protein, prō′tē-in, n. the first element in any compound: formerly the supposed common radical of the group of bodies which form the most essential articles of food, albumen, fibrine, &c.—n. Prō′tēid, a body containing protein: one of several bodies which go to make up the soft tissues of animals and vegetables. [Gr. prōtos, first, suffix -in.]
Pro tempore, prō tem′po-rē, for the time being: temporary—sometimes written pro tem.—adj. Protemporā′neous, temporary.
Protend, prō-tend′, v.t. to stretch or hold out.—ns. Protense′ (Spens.), extension; Proten′sion, duration; Proten′sity.—adj. Proten′sive. [L.,—pro, forth, tendĕre, tensum, to stretch.]
Proteolytic, prō-tē-ō-lit′ik, adj. converting food material into protein.—n. Proteol′ysis. [Proteid, Gr. lyein, to relax.]
Proterandry, prot-e-ran′dri, n. the maturity of the anthers of a perfect flower before its stigma is ready to receive the pollen.—adj. Proteran′drous.
Proteroglypha, prot-e-rog′li-fa, n.pl. a group of snakes having the anterior maxillary teeth grooved. [Gr. proteros, fore, glyphein, to carve.]