protean

[proh-tee-uh n, proh-tee-] /ˈproʊ ti ən, proʊˈti-/

adjective

readily assuming different forms or characters; extremely variable.

changeable in shape or form, as an amoeba.

(of an actor or actress) versatile; able to play many kinds of roles.

(initial capital letter) of, pertaining to, or suggestive of Proteus.

Origin

1590-1600; Prote(us) + -an

Related forms

proteanism, noun

Can be confused

protean, protein.

Examples from the web for protean

For the protean, stubborn gram-negatives, they have no new compounds in the pipeline at all.
The performance was a series of wonderful protean transformations.
No one definition can fit phenomenon as protean as the culture wars.
To his many enemies, this trajectory was still another proof of his protean and opportunistic nature.
He has garments aplenty: intense industry, immeasurable gifts, and a protean sensibility which he puts to varied uses.
And the band played it all to a wildly appreciative, protean audience that spent the evening swarming around the stage.
The hemoglobin people with favorable results using a similar strategy, beat us to the punch in this fluid protean state of flux.
Long-term problems can be protean and may involve any organ system.

British Dictionary definitions for protean

protean

/prəʊˈtiːən; ˈprəʊtɪən/

adjective

readily taking on various shapes or forms; variable

Word Origin

C16: from Proteus

Word Origin and History for protean

Protean

adj.

1590s, from Greek Proteus, sea god (son of Oceanus and Tethys) who could change his form; his name is literally "first," from protos "first" (see proto-).

protean in Medicine

protean pro·te·an (prō'tē-ən, prō-tē'-)
adj.
Readily taking on varied shapes, forms, or meanings.