prəˈtäfəd.ə noun plural
Usage: capitalized
Etymology: New Latin, from prot- + -phyta
: a major category of lower plants: as
a. in former classifications : a division or other group comprising the algae, fungi, and lichens
b. in some especially former classifications : a division or other group comprising unicellular plants and including bacteria, yeasts, slime molds, blue-green algae, and various simple green algae — often used as a term of convenience rather than strict taxonomy; compare protista
c. in some classifications : a division comprising unicellular and noncellular organisms and including blue-green algae, bacteria, rickettsias and related organisms, and viruses — used chiefly in bacteriological taxonomy