Protamin
(Pro"ta*min) n. [Gr. prw^tos first.] (Physiol. Chem.) An amorphous nitrogenous substance
found in the spermatic fluid of salmon. It is soluble in water, which an alkaline reaction, and unites with
acids and metallic bases.
Protandric
(Pro*tan"dric) a. [Proto- + Gr. a man.] (Zoöl.) Having male sexual organs while young, and
female organs later in life. — Pro*tan"trism n.
Protandrous
(Pro*tan"drous) a. (Bot.) Proterandrous.
Protasis
(||Prot"a*sis) n. [L., fr. Gr. fr. to stretch before, forward; before + to stretch.]
1. A proposition; a maxim. Johnson.
2. (Gram.) The introductory or subordinate member of a sentence, generally of a conditional sentence; —
opposed to apodosis. See Apodosis.
3. The first part of a drama, of a poem, or the like; the introduction; opposed to epitasis. B. Jonson.
Protatic
(Pro*tat"ic) a. [Gr. : cf. L. protaticus, F. protatique.] Of or pertaining to the protasis of an
ancient play; introductory.
Proteaceous
(Pro`te*a"ceous) a. [From Proteus.] (Bot.) Of or pertaining to the Proteaceæ, an order of
apetalous evergreen shrubs, mostly natives of the Cape of Good Hope or of Australia.
Protean
(Pro"te*an) a.
1. Of or pertaining to Proteus; characteristic of Proteus. " Protean transformations." Cudworth.
2. Exceedingly variable; readily assuming different shapes or forms; as, an amœba is a protean animalcule.
Proteanly
(Pro"te*an*ly), adv. In a protean manner. Cudworth.
Protect
(Pro*tect") v. t. [imp. & p. p. Protected; p. pr. & vb. n. Protecting.] [L. protectus, p. p. of
protegere, literally, to cover in front; pro before + tegere to cover. See Tegument.] To cover or shield
from danger or injury; to defend; to guard; to preserve in safety; as, a father protects his children.
The gods of Greece protect you!
Shak. Syn. — To guard; shield; preserve. See Defend.
Protectingly
(Pro*tect"ing*ly) adv. By way of protection; in a protective manner.
Protection
(Pro*tec"tion) n. [L. protectio: cf. F. protection.]
1. The act of protecting, or the state of being protected; preservation from loss, injury, or annoyance; defense; shelter; as,
the weak need protection.
To your protection I commend me, gods.
Shak. 2. That which protects or preserves from injury; a defense; a shield; a refuge.
Let them rise up . . . and be your protection.
Deut. xxxii. 38. 3. A writing that protects or secures from molestation or arrest; a pass; a safe-conduct; a passport.
He . . . gave them protections under his hand.
Macaulay.
