any of numerous naturally occurring extremely complex organic chemical compounds that are essential constituents of all living cells and form an important part of the diet of human beings and other animals
The human body contains some 100,000 distinct proteins. Each is a macromolecule consisting of long chains of amino acids. Several separate chains may be linked together and folded into complex three-dimensional configurations. Proteins are the organizing and working molecules of the cell. Fibrous insoluble proteins provide its shape and structure and soluble proteins include enzymes, controlling its metabolism — Professor Steven Rose
proteinaceous /prohtiʹnayshəs/ adj
[French protéine from late Greek prōteios primary, from Greek prōtos first]