The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Prototype \Pro"to*type\, n. [F., from L. prototypus original,
   primitive, Gr. ?, ?; ? first + ? type, model. See Proto-,
   and Type]
   An original or model after which anything is copied; the
   pattern of anything to be engraved, or otherwise copied,
   cast, or the like; a primary form; exemplar; archetype.
   [1913 Webster]

         They will turn their backs on it, like their great
         precursor and prototype.                 --Burke.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

prototype
    n 1: a standard or typical example; "he is the prototype of good
         breeding"; "he provided America with an image of the good
         father" [syn: prototype, paradigm, epitome, image]

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (19 January 2023):

prototype

   1.  An early version of a product, designed to
   demonstrate feasability and elicit feedback.  A prototype
   usually has some subset of the functions, behaviour and
   appearance of the finished product.  It is usually made using
   a method suitable for producing a one-off rather than mass
   production.

   2.  In prototype-based programming, an object
   that is intended to be cloned to create similar objects which
   may then be modified independently and/or cloned themselves.

   (2010-03-02)