of the first importance; demanding the fullest consideration: a prime requisite.
of the greatest relevance or significance: a prime example.
of the highest eminence or rank: the prime authority on Chaucer.
of the greatest commercial value: prime building lots.
first-rate: This ale is prime!
(of meat, especially of beef) noting or pertaining to the first grade or best quality: prime ribs of beef.
first in order of time, existence, or development; earliest; primitive.
basic; fundamental: the prime axioms of his philosophy.
Mathematics. (of any two or more numbers) having no common divisor except unity: The number 2 is prime to 9.
noun
the most flourishing stage or state.
the time of early manhood or womanhood: the prime of youth.
the period or state of greatest perfection or vigor of human life: a man in his prime.
the choicest or best part of anything.
(especially in the grading of U.S. beef) a grade, classification, or designation indicating the highest or most desirable quality.
the beginning or earliest stage of any period.
the spring of the year.
the first hour or period of the day, after sunrise.
Banking. prime rate.
Ecclesiastical. the second of the seven canonical hours or the service for it, originally fixed for the first hour of the day.
Mathematics.
prime number.
one of the equal parts into which a unit is primarily divided.
the mark (′) indicating such a division: a, a′.
Fencing. the first of eight defensive positions.
Music.
unison (def. 2).
(in a scale) the tonic or keynote.
Linguistics. any basic, indivisible unit used in linguistic analysis.
Metallurgy. a piece of tin plate free from visible defects.
verb (used with object),primed,prim·ing.
to prepare or make ready for a particular purpose or operation.
to supply (a firearm) with powder for communicating fire to a charge.
to lay a train of powder to (a charge, mine, etc.).
to pour or admit liquid into (a pump) to expel air and prepare for action.
to put fuel into (a carburetor) before starting an engine, in order to insure a sufficiently rich mixture at the start.
to cover (a surface) with a preparatory coat or color, as in painting.
to supply or equip with information, words, etc., for use: The politician was primed by his aides for the press conference.
to harvest the bottom leaves from (a tobacco plant).
verb (used without object),primed,prim·ing.
(of a boiler) to deliver or discharge steam containing an excessive amount of water.
to harvest the bottom leaves from a tobacco plant.
Origin of prime
First recorded before 1000; 1910–15 for def. 5; (adjective) Middle English (from Old French prim), from Latin prīmusfirst (superlative corresponding to priorprior1); (noun) in part derivative of the adjective; in part continuing Middle English prim(e) “first canonical hour,” Old English prim, from Latin prīma (hōra) “first (hour)”; (verb) apparently derivative of the adjective
SYNONYMS FOR prime
1 primary.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR prime ON THESAURUS.COM
synonym study for prime
7. Prime,primeval,primitive have reference to that which is first. Prime means first in numerical order or order of development: prime meridian; prime cause.Primeval means belonging to the first or earliest ages: the primeval forest.Primitive suggests the characteristics of the origins or early stages of a development, and hence implies the simplicity of original things: primitive tribes, conditions, ornaments, customs, tools.
OTHER WORDS FROM prime
primeness,nounnon·prime,adjectivere·prime,verb (used with object),re·primed,re·prim·ing.self-primed,adjective
un·primed,adjectivewell-primed,adjective
Words nearby prime
Primates, primateship, primatology, primavera, primaveral, prime, prime cost, prime field, prime focus, prime ideal, prime interest rate
It will be Biden’s first prime-time town hall since accepting the Democratic nomination.
Election live updates: Trump returns to Wisconsin; Biden to face live audience at town hall|Colby Itkowitz, Felicia Sonmez, John Wagner|September 17, 2020|Washington Post
So if the pathogen returns, the cell is already primed to respond faster.
‘Trained Immunity’ Offers Hope in Fight Against Coronavirus|Esther Landhuis|September 14, 2020|Quanta Magazine
The overnight nationwide lockdown announced by prime minister Narendra Modi on March 24 forced over 10 million migrant labourers to return to their home states.
India’s harsh Covid-19 lockdown displaced at least 10 million migrants|Niharika Sharma|September 14, 2020|Quartz
Birgitte’s prime ministership is certainly historic, but when it comes time for her to actually accomplish anything of note, she struggles to get things done.
One Good Thing: A Danish drama perfect for political devotees, now on Netflix|Emily VanDerWerff|September 11, 2020|Vox
The most common digital encryption technique, RSA, which was invented in 1977, is based on multiplying two large prime numbers.
Quantum computers threaten to end digital security. Here’s what’s being done about it|Jeremy Kahn|September 11, 2020|Fortune
Domestically, the prime minister maintains the dubious line that he is the only man who can keep the still-fragile peace.
Do not forget to take two or three candles, and replenish your stock if you burn them: they sometimes are a prime necessity.
How to Camp Out|John M. Gould
British Dictionary definitions for prime
prime
/ (praɪm) /
adjective
(prenominal)first in quality or value; first-rate
(prenominal)fundamental; original
(prenominal)first in importance, authority, etc; chief
maths
having no factors except itself or onex² + x + 3 is a prime polynomial
(foll by to)having no common factors (with)20 is prime to 21
financehaving the best credit ratingprime investments
noun
the time when a thing is at its best
a period of power, vigour, etc, usually following youth (esp in the phrase the prime of life)
the beginning of something, such as the spring
maths short for prime number
linguisticsa semantically indivisible element; minimal component of the sense of a word
music
unison
the tonic of a scale
mainlyRC Churchthe second of the seven canonical hours of the divine office, originally fixed for the first hour of the day, at sunrise
the first of eight basic positions from which a parry or attack can be made in fencing
verb
to prepare (something); make ready
(tr)to apply a primer, such as paint or size, to (a surface)
(tr)to fill (a pump) with its working fluid before starting, in order to improve the sealing of the pump elements and to expel air from it before starting
(tr)to increase the quantity of fuel in the float chamber of (a carburettor) in order to facilitate the starting of an engine
(tr)to insert a primer into (a gun, mine, charge, etc) preparatory to detonation or firing
(intr)(of a steam engine or boiler) to operate with or produce steam mixed with large amounts of water
(tr)to provide with facts, information, etc, beforehand; brief
Derived forms of prime
primely, adverbprimeness, noun
Word Origin for prime
(adj) C14: from Latin prīmus first; (n) C13: from Latin prīma (hora) the first (hour); (vb) C16: of uncertain origin, probably connected with n