/ ˈprəʊtətaɪp; NAmE ˈproʊ-/ noun
prototype (for / of sth) the first design of sth from which other forms are copied or developed :
the prototype of the modern bicycle
► proto·typ·ical / ˌprəʊtəˈtɪpɪkl; NAmE ˌproʊ-/ adjective
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WORD ORIGIN
late 16th cent. (denoting the original of which something else is a copy or derivative): via French or late Latin from Greek prōtotupos (see proto- , type ).