The positively charged unit of the nuclear mass; protons form part (or in hydrogen-1 the whole) of the nucleus of the atom around which the negative electrons revolve. [G. ntr. of protos, first]
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pro·ton 'prō-.tän n an elementary particle that is identical with the nucleus of the hydrogen atom, that along with neutrons is a constituent of all other atomic nuclei, that carries a positive charge numerically equal to the charge of an electron, and that has a mass of 1.673×10-24 gram
pro·ton·ic prō-'tän-ik adj
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pro·ton (proґton) [Gr. prōton, from prōtos first] an elementary particle of positive charge which forms the nucleus of the ordinary hydrogen atom of mass 1; along with neutrons, protons form the nuclei of atoms of all other elements. The proton is the unit of positive electricity; it has one quantum of charge (1.6 Ч10−19 coulomb), equivalent to the electron but of opposite polarity, and its mass is 1.67 Ч10−27 kilogram, approximately that of the hydrogen ion. Symbol p.Medical dictionary. 2011.