Etymology

protean

P3R1O1T1E1A1N1

Today it means: Exceedingly variable; readily assuming different shapes or forms. Full definition →

English Proteus ← Ancient Greek Πρωτεύς (Prōteús)
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The story

  1. Ancient GreekΠρωτεύς (Prōteús)
  2. EnglishProteus
  3. English todayprotean

From Proteus + -an, referring to the Greek warden of sea-beasts, renowned for his ability to change shape.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.