Link Centre Dictionary

prime

UK/pɹiːm/ US/ˈpraɪm/ common uk
adjective (5) noun (4) verb (3)

adjective

1.

first in rank or degree

  • “an architect of premier rank”
  • “the prime minister”
Synonyms
Similar
2.

used of the first or originating agent

  • “prime mover”
Similar
3.

of superior grade

  • “choice wines”
  • “prime beef”
  • “prize carnations”
  • “quality paper”
  • “select peaches”
Synonyms
Similar
4.

of or relating to or being an integer that cannot be factored into other integers

  • “prime number”
5.

at the best stage

  • “our manhood”
Similar

noun

1.

a number that has no factor but itself and 1

Synonyms
2.
3.

the second canonical hour; about 6 a.m.

4.

the time of maturity when power and vigor are greatest

Synonyms

verb

1.

insert a primer into (a gun, mine, charge, etc.) preparatory to detonation or firing

  • “prime a cannon”
  • “prime a mine”
2.

cover with a primer; apply a primer to

Synonyms
3.

fill with priming liquid

  • “prime a car engine”

Origin

From Middle English prime, from Old French prime and its etymon, Latin prīmus (“first”), from earlier prīsmos < *prīsemos < Proto-Italic *priisemos, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *per- (“beyond, before”). Doublet of primo and primus. The noun sense "apostrophe-like symbol" originates from the fact that the symbol ′ was originally a superscript Roman numeral one.

Phrases

  • almost prime
  • Belphegor's prime
  • book of prime entry
  • cuban prime
  • egg prime directive
  • Eisenstein prime
  • essential prime implicant
  • eta prime
  • in prime twig
  • non-essential prime implicant
  • past one's prime
  • prime constellation

Related words

Word family

Broader terms

Narrower terms

Pertaining to

WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.