prototype

Noun

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

a standard or typical example“he is the prototype of good breeding”“he provided America with an image of the good father”Synonyms: paradigm epitome image

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

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]

Free On-line Dictionary of Computing

prototype

1.<systems> 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.<programming> 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)