prototype
/ˈprəʊtətaɪp/·프로토타입·noun
a first model from which others are developed
GreekCEFR B2
Root
Greek 'protos' (first) + 'typos' (impression, model)
Greek prototypon (first form) → Late Latin prototypus → French prototype → English prototype (17th c.)
In a word
Greek protos (first) + typos (mould, stamp). The mould stamped before all others. The proto family points to 'first' — prototype (first form), protocol (first attached document), proton (most basic particle), protozoa (most primitive creature). When Silicon Valley says "run a prototype," the word is still the meeting of two Greek pieces.
Examples
They built a prototype to test the idea.
The prototype was clunky but functional.
Many products start as quick prototypes.
Related
prototypicalproto-archetypetypifytypical