

Oct 2, 2012 This week's theme

Words from classical mythology



This week's words

aesculapian

protean

terpsichorean

bacchanal

morphean



Proteus: A woodcut by Jörg Breu From the Book of Emblems by Andrea Alciato (1531) Discuss

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RSS/XML Words from classical mythology A.Word.A.Day with Anu Garg



protean PRONUNCIATION: (PRO-tee-uhn, pro-TEE-uhn)

MEANING: adjective:

1. Assuming many forms: variable.

2. Able to handle many different things, as roles in a play. Versatile.

ETYMOLOGY: After Proteus, a sea god in Greek mythology, who could assume different forms. He got his name from Greek protos (first) as he was one of the earliest sea gods. Earliest documented use: 1594.

USAGE: "Bruce Chatwin: Such a protean character, a man of many parts. A man who loved the austere but was also flamboyant in manner."

Thor Kah Hoong; Protean Character; The Star (Petaling Jaya, Malaysia); Feb 27, 2007.

See more usage examples of protean in Vocabulary.com's dictionary.



A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread. -Anatole France, novelist, essayist, Nobel laureate (1844-1924)





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