pro·tein   (prō'tēn', -tē-ĭn)    n.  Any of a group of complex organic macromolecules that contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and usually sulfur and are composed of one or more chains of amino acids. Proteins are fundamental components of all living cells and include many substances, such as enzymes, hormones, and antibodies, that are necessary for the proper functioning of an organism. They are essential in the diet of animals for the growth and repair of tissue and can be obtained from foods such as meat, fish, eggs, milk, and legumes. [French protéine, from Late Greek prōteios, of the first quality, from Greek prōtos, first; see per1 in Indo-European roots.] pro'tein·a'ceous (prōt'n-ā'shəs, prō'tē-nā'-), pro·tein'ic (prō-tē'nĭk), pro·tein'ous (prō-tē'nəs) adj.

proteins [(proh-teenz, proh-tee-inz)]

Complex organic molecules made up of amino acids. Proteins are basic components of all living cells and are therefore among the principal substances that make up the body. In addition to being necessary for the growth and repair of the body's tissues, proteins provide energy and act as enzymes that control chemical reactions in the cell.

Note: Foods that contain a high percentage of protein include meat, fish, poultry, milk products, beans, and nuts.

protein 

Main Entry: pro·tein
Pronunciation: 'prO-"tEn, 'prOt-E-&n
Function: noun
often attributive 1 : any of numerous naturally occurringextremely complex substances (as an enzyme or antibody) that consist of amino acid residues joined by peptide bonds, contain the elements carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, usually sulfur, and occas.other elements (as phosphorus or iron), that are essential constituents of all living cells, that are synthesized from raw materials by plants but assimilated as separate amino acids by animals, thatare both acidic and basic and usually colloidal in nature although many have been crystallized, and that are hydrolyzable by acids, alkalies, proteolytic enzymes, and putrefactive bacteria topolypeptides, to simpler peptides, and ultimately to alpha-amino acids
2 : the total nitrogenous material in plant or animal substances; especially : CRUDE PROTEIN

protein pro·tein (prō'tēn', -tē-ĭn)
n.
Any of a group of complex organic macromolecules that contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and usually sulfur and are composed of chains of alpha-amino acids. Proteins are fundamental components of all living cells and include many substances, such as enzymes, hormones, and antibodies, that are necessary to the functioning of an organism. They are essential in the diet of animals for the growth and repair of tissue and can be obtained from foods such as meat, fish, eggs, milk, and legumes.

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pro'tein·a'ceous (prōt'n-ā'shəs, prō'tē-nā'-) adj.