proto-

原；原始

A combining form prefix signifying first, primary,；primordial; as, protomartyr, the first martyr; protomorphic, primitive；in form; protoplast, a primordial organism; prototype, protozoan.；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.；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.