proteus Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (Greek mythology) a prophetic god who served Poseidon; was capable of changing his shape at will
  2. noun type genus of the Proteidae
    genus Proteus.

WordNet

Pro"te*us noun
Etymology
L., Gr. .
Definitions
  1. (Class. Myth.) A sea god in the service of Neptune who assumed different shapes at will. Hence, one who easily changes his appearance or principles.
  2. (Zoöl.) (a) A genus of aquatic eel-shaped amphibians found in caves in Austria. They have permanent external gills as well as lungs. The eyes are small and the legs are weak. (b) A changeable protozoan; an amoeba. 3. a genus of gram-negative rod-shaped bacteria, including some species pathogenic in man.

Webster 1913