c. 1600, from French prototype (16c.) and directly from Medieval Latin prototypus "original, primitive," from Greek prōtotypon "a first or primitive form," noun use of neuter singular of prōtotypos "original, primitive," from prōtos "first" (see proto-) + typos "impression, mold, pattern" (see type (n.)). In English from 1590s as prototypon.
he is the prototype of good breeding
proto-language
proton
protoplanet
protoplasm
protostar
prototype
prototypical
Protozoa
protozoic
protract
protraction