Adjacent Words

proto- definitions

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Merriam Webster's

— see prot-

Oxford Reference Dictionary

comb. form 1 original, primitive (proto-Germanic; proto-Slavic). 2 first, original (protomartyr; protophyte). Etymology: Gk proto- f. protos first

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Proto- Pro"to- [Gr. prw^tos first, a superl. fr. pro` before. See Pro-.] 1. A combining form prefix signifying first, primary, primordial; as, protomartyr, the first martyr; protomorphic, primitive in form; protoplast, a primordial organism; prototype, protozoan. 2. (Chem.) (a) Denoting the first or lowest of a series, or the one having the smallest amount of the element to the name of which it is prefixed; as protoxide, protochloride, etc. (b) Sometimes used as equivalent to mono-, as indicating that the compound has but one atom of the element to the name of which it is prefixed. Also used adjectively.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

Proto- is used to form adjectives and nouns which indicate that something is in the early stages of its development. ...the proto-fascist tendencies of some of its supporters. ...Albion, whose own legend stretches back to the mists of proto-history. PREFIX