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Added 9 October 2026

protean

/ˈpɹəʊ.tɪ.ən/ adjective

adjective Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about protean at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Taking on different forms.
eyes...of that baffling protean grey which is never twice the same

Origin

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

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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