Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Protyle
Pro′tyle
,Noun.
[
Proto-
+ Gr. [GREEK] stuff, material.] (Chem. & Astron.)
The hypothetical homogeneous cosmic material of the original universe, supposed to have been differentiated into what are recognized as distinct chemical elements.
Definition 2024
protyle
protyle
English
Noun
protyle (countable and uncountable, plural protyles)
- (physics, chemistry, historical) A hypothetical base substance from which all chemical elements were believed to have been made; subatomic particles.
- 2002, Philip Ball, The Elements: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford 2004, p. 73:
- Dumas wondered whether the fundamental building blocks of atoms might be some smaller division of the hydrogen atom: a half, say, or a quarter. This basic substance became known as ‘protyle’.
- 2002, Philip Ball, The Elements: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford 2004, p. 73: