Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Proto-
Pro′to-
.1.
A combining form prefix signifying first, primary, primordial;
as,
proto
martyr, the first martyr; proto
morphic, primitive in form; proto
plast, a primordial organism; proto
type, proto
zoan.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.
Definition 2024
proto-
proto-
English
Alternative forms
Prefix
proto-
- first
- (linguistics, genetics) most recent common ancestor (often hypothetical) of
- All Indo-European languages from Albanian to Zazaki are descended from Proto-Indo-European.
- (chemistry) Relating to protons and/or positive charge.
Synonyms
Coordinate terms
Derived terms
<a class='CategoryTreeLabel CategoryTreeLabelNs14 CategoryTreeLabelCategory' href='/wiki/Category:English_words_prefixed_with_proto-'>English words prefixed with proto-</a>
words in which it has the meaning "first"
|
in linguistics, proto-languages
Translations
first
(linguistics) ancestor of a family of languages
Italian
Etymology
From Ancient Greek πρωτο- (prōto-), combining form of πρῶτος (prôtos, “first”), superlative of πρό (pró, “before”).
Prefix
proto-
Usage notes
- Also prot- before a vowel.
Derived terms
<a class='CategoryTreeLabel CategoryTreeLabelNs14 CategoryTreeLabelCategory' href='/wiki/Category:Italian_words_prefixed_with_proto-'>Italian words prefixed with proto-</a>
Latvian
Etymology
From Ancient Greek πρωτο- (prōto-), combining form of πρῶτος (prôtos, “first”), superlative of πρό (pró, “before”).
Prefix
proto-
- proto- (initial, first, original)
Usage notes
- Also prot- before a vowel
Derived terms
<a class='CategoryTreeLabel CategoryTreeLabelNs14 CategoryTreeLabelCategory' href='/wiki/Category:Latvian_words_prefixed_with_proto-'>Latvian words prefixed with proto-</a>
Spanish
Etymology
From Ancient Greek πρωτο- (prōto-), combining form of πρῶτος (prôtos) "first", superlative of πρό (pró) "before".
Prefix
proto-
Derived terms
<a class='CategoryTreeLabel CategoryTreeLabelNs14 CategoryTreeLabelCategory' href='/wiki/Category:Spanish_words_prefixed_with_proto-'>Spanish words prefixed with proto-</a>