prototype-n; 3 Senses

Sense Number 1: a typical example or standard for something

Commentary: PROTOTYPE[+entity][+specimen][+example][+typical] [+relation][+role][+standard]

Examples:
The main character of the story is the prototype of a middle-class American office worker.
The prototype of all careerists is Judas. (example, illustration)
Bob's friends see him as the prototype of a young Silicon Valley entrepreneur.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1

Sense Number 2: a preliminary test model of an artifact

Commentary: PROTOTYPE[+entity][+artifact][+construction][+preliminary][+test]
NOTE: implies a manmade purposive artifact

Examples:
A prototype of the new building complex stood on a table at the architectural firm.
They are building a prototype of a small rocket that will launch satellites into space.
The product went from design board to prototype to beta test to shipment in under 24 months.

Mappings:
WordNet 0.0 Sense Numbers: 4

Sense Number 3: an archetype or origin on which something later is patterned

Commentary: PROTOTYPE[+entity][+form][+model][+prior] [+relation][+origin][+archetype]
NOTE: does -not- imply a purposive connection, but rather a natural, chronological one.

Examples:
This is a skeleton of a creature that is the prototype for the modern horse.
These objects are a prototype of a class of rapidly-spinning neutron stars.

Mappings:
WordNet 0.0 Sense Numbers: 1