Category:Proto-

Pro"to-. Etym: [gr. prw	os first, a superl. fr. Pro-.]

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.