proto : Idioms & Phrases


proto-

Pro"to-
Etymology
Gr. prw^tos first, a superl. fr. before. See Pro-.
Definitions
  1. A combining form prefix signifying first, primary, primordial; as, protomartyr, the first martyr; protomorphic, primitive in form; protoplast, a primordial organism; prototype, protozoan.
  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.
Webster 1913

proto-doric

Pro`to-Dor*ic adjective
Etymology
Proto- + Doric.
Definitions
  1. (Arch.) Pertaining to, or designating, architecture, in which the beginnings of the Doric style are supposed to be found.
Webster 1913

proto-indo european

  • noun a prehistoric unrecorded language that was the ancestor of all Indo-European languages
    PIE.
WordNet

proto-norse

  • noun the Germanic language of Scandinavia up until about 700
WordNet

proto-oncogene

  • noun a normal gene that has the potential to become an oncogene
WordNet