Protea Definition
A taxonomic genus within the family Proteaceae "” the proteas or sugarbushes, native to South Africa, extremely diverse in form.
Other Word Forms of Protea
Noun
Origin of Protea
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New Latin Prōtea genus name from Latin Prōteus the shape-shifting god Proteus (in reference to the great variation in floral shape and color shown by species of the genus) Proteus
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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From Ancient Greek Πρωτεύς (Prōteus), the Greek warden of sea beasts, renowned for his ability to change shape. Named by Carl Linnaeus (1707 - 1778)
From Wiktionary
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Named after Proteus, the Greek warden of sea beasts, renowned for his ability to change shape.
From Wiktionary
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