protein

Pronunciation: /ˈpɹoʊ.tiːn/

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun any of a large group of nitrogenous organic compounds that are essential constituents of living cells; consist of polymers of amino acids; essential in the diet of animals for growth and for repair of tissues; can be obtained from meat and eggs and milk and legumes

Etymology

From proto- + -ein. Suggested by Jöns Jacob Berzelius in a letter to Gerardus Johannes Mulder, from French protéine and German Protein, both coined based on Ancient Greek πρωτεῖος (prōteîos, “primary”), from πρῶτος (prôtos, “first”).

In classic literature

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
macromolecule
Narrower (hyponyms)
gluten, ferritin, conjugated protein, haptoglobin, filaggrin, prostate specific antigen

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