英语词源字典 - 在线词源网站

prosthetics (n.)[prosthetics 词源字典]: 1894, from prosthetic; also see -ics.[prosthetics etymology, prosthetics origin, 英语词源]
prostitute (v.): 1520s, "to offer to indiscriminate sexual intercourse (usually in exchange for money)," from Latin prostitutus, past participle of prostituere "to expose to prostitution, expose publicly," from pro- "before" (see pro-) + statuere "cause to stand, establish," from PIE root *sta- "to stand," with derivatives meaning "place or thing that is standing" (see stet). Related: Prostituted; prostituting.

The notion of "sex for hire" is not inherent in the etymology, which rather suggests one "exposed to lust" or sex "indiscriminately offered." However, this is now almost the official European term for the institution: German prostituierte, Russian prostitutka, etc. Figurative sense (of abilities, etc.) is from 1570s. Of men, in reference to homosexual acts, from 1886 (in form prostitution); phrase male prostitute attested by 1948.
prostitute (n.): "harlot, woman who offers her body indiscriminately" (usually for money)," 1610s, from Latin prostituta "prostitute," fem. of prostitutus, past participle of prostituere (see prostitute (v.)).
prostitution (n.): 1530s, from Middle French prostitution and directly from Late Latin prostitutionem (nominative prostitutio), noun of action from past participle stem of prostituere (see prostitute).
prostomium (n.): 1870, Latinized form of Greek prostomion "fore-mouth, something before the mouth," from pro "before" (see pro-) + stoma "mouth" (see stoma).
prostrate (adj.): mid-14c., "lying face-down" (in submission, worship, etc.), from Latin prostratus, past participle of prosternere "strew in front, throw down," from pro- "forth" (see pro-) + sternere "to spread out," from PIE root *stere- "to spread, extend, stretch out" (see structure (n.)). Figurative use from 1590s. General sense of "laid out, knocked flat" is from 1670s.
prostrate (v.): early 15c., prostraten, "prostrate oneself," from prostrate (adj.). Related: Prostrated; prostrating.
prostration (n.): c. 1400, "action of prostrating oneself," from Old French prostracion (14c.) or directly from Late Latin prostrationem (nominative prostratio), noun of action from past participle stem of prosternere (see prostrate (v.)); or else a native formation from prostrate (v.). Meaning "weakness, exhaustion, dejection" is from 1650s.
prosy (adj.): 1814 (Jane Austen), from prose + -y (2). Related: Prosiness.
Prot (n.): colloquial shortening of Protestant (n.), used by Catholics, often contemptuous.
protagonist (n.): 1670s, "principal character in a story, drama, etc.," from Greek protagonistes "actor who plays the chief or first part," from protos "first" (see proto-) + agonistes "actor, competitor," from agon "contest" (see act (n.)). Meaning "leading person in any cause or contest" is from 1889. Mistaken sense of "advocate, supporter" (1935) is from misreading of Greek protos as Latin pro- "for."
Protean (adj.): 1590s, from Greek Proteus, sea god (son of Oceanus and Tethys) who could change his form; his name is literally "first," from protos "first" (see proto-).
protease (n.): 1903, from protein + -ase. Related: Proteolysis.
protect (v.): mid-15c., from Latin protectus, past participle of protegere "to protect, cover in front" (see protection). International economics sense from 1789. Related: Protected; protecting.
protectant (adj.): 1660s, irregularly formed from protect + -ant. As a noun from 1935.
protection (n.): mid-14c., "shelter, defense; keeping, guardianship;" late 14c. as "that which protects," from Old French proteccion "protection, shield" (12c.) and directly from Late Latin protectionem (nominative protectio) "a covering over," noun of action from past participle stem of protegere "protect, cover in front," from pro- "in front" + tegere "to cover" (see stegosaurus).

A common Old English word for "protect" was beorgan. International economic sense is from 1789. In gangster sense, "freedom from molestation in exchange for money," it is attested from 1860. Ecological sense of "attempted preservation by laws" is from 1880 (originally of wild birds in Britain). Also in medieval England, "the protection or maintenance of a lord or patron; sponsorship." To put (someone) out of protection meant to deprive him or her of the security of the protection of the kingdom's laws.
protectionism (n.): 1846, from protectionist + -ism.
protectionist (n.): in the economics sense, 1841, from French protectionniste (in political economy sense, protection is attested from 1789). As an adjective by 1843.
protective (adj.): 1660s, from protect + -ive. As a noun from 1875. Related: Protectively; protectiveness. Protective custody is from 1933, translating German Schutzhaft, used cynically by the Nazis.
protector (n.): late 14c., from Old French protector (14c., Modern French protecteur) and directly from Late Latin protector, agent noun from protegere (see protection). Related: Protectoral.