ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌtīp noun
Etymology: French, from Middle French, from Greek prōtotypon archetype, from neuter of prōtotypos original, primitive, from prōt- prot- + typos type — more at type
1.
a.
(1) : an original on which a thing is modeled : pattern
romantically identifying the new republic with the ancient prototype — American Guide Series: New York
(2) : one of the ideas or patterns in the divine mind after the likeness of which created things are made — compare archetype , idea 1a
b. : an individual that exhibits the essential features of a later individual or species : precursor
metal-wheeled chariots, the prototype of the tanks of modern warfare — R.W.Murray
c. : an individual quality, or complex that exemplifies or serves as a standard of the essential features of a group or type : exemplar
the gangster prototype the movies have shown the world — Polly Adler
mathematics is the prototype of logical thinking
prototype kilogram
d.
(1) also prototype airplane : the first full-scale piloted flying model of a new type of airplane
(2) : the first full-scale model of a new type or design of furniture, machinery, or vehicle
prototype chair
prototype of a new tractor engine
prototype of a new medium tank
2.
a. : an ancestral form
b. : primary type
3. : an individual that exemplifies an earlier prototype
the modern prototype of Catherine the Great — Thomas Wolfe