Standard Lemma guide

protophyte

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˈpɹəʊtəfʌɪt/
  • US: /ˈpɹoʊdəˌfaɪt/

1

noun

Meaning 1

Any of various primitive organisms such as the slime molds

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: biology, natural-sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From proto- (“first”) + -phyte (“plant”).

Across languages

Translations

1 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: protophyte — (biology) any of various primitive organisms