Defn: Of or pertaining to the protasis of an ancient play; introductory.
PROTEACEOUS
Pro`te*a"ceous, a. Etym: [From Proteus.] (Bot.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Proteaceæ, an order of apetalous evergreen shrubs, mostly natives of the Cape of Good Hope or of Australia.
PROTEAN
Pro"te*an, a.
1. Of or pertaining to Proteus; characteristic of Proteus. " Protean transformations." Cudworth.
2. Exceedingly variable; readily assuming different shapes or forms; as, an amoeba is a protean animalcule.
PROTEANLY
Pro"te*an*ly, adv.
Defn: In a protean manner. Cudworth.
PROTECT
Pro*tect", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Protected; p. pr. & vb. n.
Protecting.] Etym: [L. protectus, p. p. of protegere, literally, to
cover in front; pro before + tegere to cover. See Tegument.]
Defn: To cover or shield from danger or injury; to defend; to guard; to preserve in safety; as, a father protects his children. The gods of Greece protect you! Shak.