Protean

pro'te-an, a. Pert, to Proteus, a sea-god who could a ume different shapes; readily changing the form or appearance. Protect, pro-tekf, To cover or shield from danger or injury: to defend, guard, preserve, secure. [L. — protegere, -tectum, pro and tegere, to cover.] Protection, n. Act of protecting: preservation from lo , injury, or annoyance; state of being protected; thatwhicli preserves" from injury; a writing that protects; defense: guard; shelter; refuge; security; safety. [F.] — Protec'tionist, n. One who favors the cube, full moon, fo~6t cow, oil PROTRACT protection of some branch of industry by legal enactments. — Protective, a. Affording protection; sheltering. — Protect'or, n. One who, etc.: * guardian, preserver, supporter. [L.] — Protect'oi ate, -er-at, n. Government by a protector; authority a umed by a superior power over an inferior 01 dependent one. — Protect'orship, n. Office of a pic* tector or regent. — Protect're , n. A woman wlir protects. [ME. and F. protect rice.~\ — Protege^ n.