proteus

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: Pro=teus

CIDE DICTIONARY

proteus, n. [L., Gr. .].

•  A sea god in the service of Neptune who assumed different shapes at will. Hence, one who easily changes his appearance or principles.  [1913 Webster]
•  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.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

proteus, n.
1 a changing or inconstant person or thing.
2 (proteus) a any bacterium of the genus Proteus, usu. found in the intestines and faeces of animals. b = OLM.

Etymology

L f. Gk Proteus a sea-god able to take various forms at will

ROGET THESAURUS

proteus

Changeableness

N changeableness, mutability, inconstancy, versatility, mobility, instability, unstable equilibrium, vacillation, fluctuation, vicissitude, alternation, restlessness, fidgets, disquiet, disquietude, inquietude, unrest, agitation, moon, Proteus, chameleon, quicksilver, shifting sands, weathercock, harlequin, Cynthia of the minute, April showers, wheel of Fortune, transientness, changeable, changeful, changing, mutable, variable, checkered, ever changing, protean, proteiform, versatile, unstaid, inconstant, unsteady, unstable, unfixed, unsettled, fluctuating, restless, agitated, erratic, fickle, irresolute, capricious, touch and go, inconsonant, fitful, spasmodic, vibratory, vagrant, wayward, desultory, afloat, alternating, alterable, plastic, mobile, transient, wavering, seesaw, off and on, a rolling stone gathers no moss, pictra mossa non fa muschis, honores mutant mores, varium et mutabile semper femina.