[pro.to.plast] n [MF protoplaste, fr. LL protoplastus first human, fr. Gk protoplastos first formed, fr. prot- prot- + plastos formed, fr. plassein to mold--more at plaster] (1532) 1: one that is formed first: prototype
2: a plant cell that has had its cell wall removed; also: the nucleus, cytoplasm, and plasma membrane of a cell as distinguished from inert walls and inclusions