prime

P0558200 (prīm)adj.1. First or highest in rank or importance; main: Our prime consideration is for the children's safety. See Synonyms at chief. See Usage Note at perfect.2. a. Highest in quality; excellent: prime real estate.b. Being the most desired or suitable example of something: a prime candidate for the study.3. Of or relating to the USDA highest grade of beef, having abundant marbling and usually only sold at restaurants.4. First or early in time, order, or sequence: the prime action of the drug.5. Mathematics Of, relating to, or being a prime number.n.1. a. The period of greatest physical and mental robustness: athletes in the prime of their lives.b. The period of best performance or peak activity: This car is definitely past its prime. See Synonyms at bloom¹.2. Mathematics A prime number.3. The prime rate.4. A mark (′) appended above and to the right of a character, especially:a. One used to distinguish different values of the same variable in a mathematical expression.b. One used to represent a unit of measurement, such as feet or minutes in latitude and longitude.5. also Prime Ecclesiastical a. The second of the seven canonical hours. No longer in liturgical use.b. The time appointed for this service, the first hour of the day or 6 am.6. Linguistics See primitive.7. The first position of thrust and parry in fencing.v. primed, prim·ing, primes v.tr.1. To make ready; prepare: guard dogs primed for attack.2. To prepare (a gun or mine) for firing by inserting a charge of gunpowder or a primer.3. To prepare for operation, as by pouring water into a pump or gasoline into a carburetor.4. To prepare (a surface) for painting by covering with size, primer, or an undercoat.5. To inform or instruct beforehand; coach.v.intr. To become prepared for future action or operation.Idiom: prime the pump Informal To encourage the growth or action of something.

[Middle English, first in occurrence, from Old French, feminine of prin, from Latin prīmus; see per in Indo-European roots. Noun, sense 5, from Middle English, from Old English prīm, from Late Latin prīma (hōra), first (hour), from Latin, feminine of prīmus.]

prime′ly adv.prime′ness n.

prime

(praɪm) adj1. (prenominal) first in quality or value; first-rate2. (prenominal) fundamental; original3. (prenominal) first in importance, authority, etc; chief4. (Mathematics) maths a. having no factors except itself or one: x² + x + 3 is a prime polynomial. b. (foll by to) having no common factors (with): 20 is prime to 21. 5. (Banking & Finance) finance having the best credit rating: prime investments. n6. the time when a thing is at its best7. a period of power, vigour, etc, usually following youth (esp in the phrase the prime of life)8. the beginning of something, such as the spring9. (Mathematics) maths short for prime number10. (Linguistics) linguistics a semantically indivisible element; minimal component of the sense of a word11. (Music, other) music a. unisonb. the tonic of a scale12. (Roman Catholic Church) chiefly RC Church the second of the seven canonical hours of the divine office, originally fixed for the first hour of the day, at sunrise13. (Fencing) the first of eight basic positions from which a parry or attack can be made in fencingvb14. to prepare (something); make ready15. (tr) to apply a primer, such as paint or size, to (a surface)16. (Mechanical Engineering) (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 starting17. (Automotive Engineering) (tr) to increase the quantity of fuel in the float chamber of (a carburettor) in order to facilitate the starting of an engine18. (Firearms, Gunnery, Ordnance & Artillery) (tr) to insert a primer into (a gun, mine, charge, etc) preparatory to detonation or firing19. (Mechanical Engineering) (intr) (of a steam engine or boiler) to operate with or produce steam mixed with large amounts of water20. (tr) to provide with facts, information, etc, beforehand; brief[(adj) C14: from Latin prīmus first; (n) C13: from Latin prīma (hora) the first (hour); (vb) C16: of uncertain origin, probably connected with n] ˈprimely adv ˈprimeness n

prime

(praɪm)

adj., n., v. primed, prim•ing. adj. 1. of the first importance: a prime requisite. 2. of the greatest relevance or significance: a prime example. 3. of the highest eminence or rank: a prime authority on Chaucer. 4. of the greatest commercial value: prime building lots. 5. first-rate. 6. (of meat) of the highest grade or best quality: prime ribs of beef. 7. first in order of time, existence, or development. 8. basic; fundamental: a prime axiom. 9. (of any two or more numbers) having no common divisor except unity: The number 2 is prime to 9. n. 10. the most flourishing stage or state. 11. the time of early manhood or womanhood: the prime of youth. 12. the period of greatest vigor of human life: a man in his prime. 13. the choicest or best part of anything. 14. the earliest stage of any period. 15. the spring of the year. 16. the hour following sunrise. 17. prime rate. 18. the second of the seven canonical hours or the service for it, orig. fixed for the first hour of the day. 19. Math. a. prime number. b. one of the equal parts into which a unit is primarily divided. c. the mark (~) indicating such a division: a, a~. 20. Music. (in a scale) the tonic or keynote. 21. any basic, indivisible unit used in linguistic analysis. v.t. 22. to prepare for a particular purpose or operation. 23. to supply (a firearm) with powder for igniting a charge. 24. to pour or admit liquid into (a pump) to expel air and prepare for action. 25. to put fuel into (a carburetor) before starting an engine, in order to insure a sufficiently rich mixture at the start. 26. to cover (a surface) with an undercoat of paint or the like. 27. to supply with needed information, facts, etc. v.i. 28. to harvest the bottom leaves from a tobacco plant. Idioms: prime the pump, a. to increase government expenditure in an effort to stimulate the economy. b. to support or promote the operation or improvement of something. [before 1000; (adj.) Middle English (< Old French prim) < Latin prīmus first (superlative corresponding to prior prior¹); (n.) in part derivative of the adj., in part continuing Middle English prim(e) first canonical hour, Old English prim < Latin prīma(hōra) first (hour)] prime′ly, adv. prime′ness, n.

prime

- Unusual since it can have virtually opposite meanings: "preliminary, basic" or "lowest"—as well as "finest" and "highest."See also related terms for highest.

prime

Past participle: primed
Gerund: priming

Imperative
prime
prime

Present
I prime
you prime
he/she/it primes
we prime
you prime
they prime

Preterite
I primed
you primed
he/she/it primed
we primed
you primed
they primed

Present Continuous
I am priming
you are priming
he/she/it is priming
we are priming
you are priming
they are priming

Present Perfect
I have primed
you have primed
he/she/it has primed
we have primed
you have primed
they have primed

Past Continuous
I was priming
you were priming
he/she/it was priming
we were priming
you were priming
they were priming

Past Perfect
I had primed
you had primed
he/she/it had primed
we had primed
you had primed
they had primed

Future
I will prime
you will prime
he/she/it will prime
we will prime
you will prime
they will prime

Future Perfect
I will have primed
you will have primed
he/she/it will have primed
we will have primed
you will have primed
they will have primed

Future Continuous
I will be priming
you will be priming
he/she/it will be priming
we will be priming
you will be priming
they will be priming

Present Perfect Continuous
I have been priming
you have been priming
he/she/it has been priming
we have been priming
you have been priming
they have been priming

Future Perfect Continuous
I will have been priming
you will have been priming
he/she/it will have been priming
we will have been priming
you will have been priming
they will have been priming

Past Perfect Continuous
I had been priming
you had been priming
he/she/it had been priming
we had been priming
you had been priming
they had been priming

Conditional
I would prime
you would prime
he/she/it would prime
we would prime
you would prime
they would prime

Past Conditional
I would have primed
you would have primed
he/she/it would have primed
we would have primed
you would have primed
they would have primed

Prime

One-twelfth of a square foot.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	prime - a number that has no factor but itself and 1prime quantitynumber - a concept of quantity involving zero and units; "every number has a unique position in the sequence"prime number - an integer that has no integral factors but itself and 1
	2.	prime - the period of greatest prosperity or productivityefflorescence, flush, heyday, peak, blossom, flower, bloomperiod, period of time, time period - an amount of time; "a time period of 30 years"; "hastened the period of time of his recovery"; "Picasso's blue period"golden age - a time period when some activity or skill was at its peak; "it was the golden age of cinema"
	3.	prime - the second canonical hour; about 6 a.m.canonical hour - (Roman Catholic Church) one of seven specified times for prayer
	4.	prime - the time of maturity when power and vigor are greatestprime of lifeadulthood, maturity - the period of time in your life after your physical growth has stopped and you are fully developed
Verb	1.	prime - insert a primer into (a gun, mine, or charge) preparatory to detonation or firing; "prime a cannon"; "prime a mine"gear up, prepare, ready, set, fix, set up - make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc; "Get the children ready for school!"; "prepare for war"; "I was fixing to leave town after I paid the hotel bill"
	2.	prime - cover with a primer; apply a primer toundercoat, groundpaint - apply paint to; coat with paint; "We painted the rooms yellow"
	3.	prime - fill with priming liquid; "prime a car engine"fill, fill up, make full - make full, also in a metaphorical sense; "fill a container"; "fill the child with pride"
Adj.	1.	prime - first in rank or degree; "an architect of premier rank"; "the prime minister"premierfirst - preceding all others in time or space or degree; "the first house on the right"; "the first day of spring"; "his first political race"; "her first baby"; "the first time"; "the first meetings of the new party"; "the first phase of his training"
	2.	prime - used of the first or originating agent; "prime mover"first - preceding all others in time or space or degree; "the first house on the right"; "the first day of spring"; "his first political race"; "her first baby"; "the first time"; "the first meetings of the new party"; "the first phase of his training"
	3.	prime - of superior grade; "choice wines"; "prime beef"; "prize carnations"; "quality paper"; "select peaches"choice, prize, quality, selectsuperior - of high or superior quality or performance; "superior wisdom derived from experience"; "superior math students"
	4.	prime - of or relating to or being an integer that cannot be factored into other integers; "prime number"math, mathematics, maths - a science (or group of related sciences) dealing with the logic of quantity and shape and arrangement
	5.	prime - being at the best stage of development; "our manhood's prime vigor"- Robert Browningmeridianmature - having reached full natural growth or development; "a mature cell"

prime

adjective1. main, leading, chief, central, major, ruling, key, senior, primary, supreme, principal, ultimate, cardinal, paramount, overriding, foremost, predominant, pre-eminent, number-one (informal) Political stability is a prime concern.2. best, top, select, highest, capital, quality, choice, selected, excellent, superior, first-class, first-rate, grade-A It was one of the City's prime locations.3. fundamental, original, basic, primary, underlying A prime cause of deforestation was the burning of charcoal to melt ore into iron.4. ideal, standard, classic, typical, stock, excellent, conventional, characteristic, signature, archetypal, quintessential, prototypical a prime example of mid-century modernismnoun1. peak, flower, bloom, maturity, height, perfection, best days, heyday, zenith, full flowering She was in her intellectual prime.verb1. inform, tell, train, coach, brief, fill in (informal), groom (informal), notify, clue in (informal), gen up (Brit. informal), give someone the lowdown, clue up (informal) The press corps has been primed to avoid this topic.2. prepare, set up, load, equip, get ready, make ready They had primed the bomb to go off in an hour's time.

prime

adjective1. Of fine quality:choice, fine, first-class, select, superior.2. Exceptionally good of its kind:ace, banner, blue-ribbon, brag, capital, champion, excellent, fine, first-class, first-rate, quality, splendid, superb, superior, terrific, tiptop, top.Informal: A-one, bully, dandy, great, swell, topflight, topnotch.Slang: boss.Chiefly British: tophole.3. Most important, influential, or significant:capital, cardinal, chief, first, foremost, key, leading, main, major, number one, paramount, premier, primary, principal, top.4. Preceding all others in time:earliest, first, initial, maiden, original, pioneer, primary, primordial.5. Not derived from something else:original, primary, primitive.nounA condition or time of vigor and freshness:bloom, blossom, efflorescence, florescence, flower, flush.verbTo cause to be ready, as for use, consumption, or a special purpose:fit, fix, make, prepare, ready.

Translations

使准备好全盛时期最好的重要的

prime¹

(praim) adjective1. first or most important. the prime minister; a matter of prime importance.重要的2. best. in prime condition.最好的 noun the best part (of a person's etc life, usually early middle age). He is in his prime; the prime of life.全盛时期ˈprimary adjective1. first or most important. his primary concern.主要的2. of the first level or stage. a primary school.初级的ˈprimarily (praiˈmerəli) adverb chiefly; in the first place. I wrote the play primarily as a protest, and only secondarily as entertainment. 起初，首先 primary colours (of pigments, but not of light) those colours from which all others can be made, ie red, blue and yellow. 原色prime minister the chief minister of a government. 首相，总理 prime number a number that can only be divided without a remainder by itself and 1, eg 3, 5, 7, 31. 质数ˈprime time noun the evening hours, the time when most viewers are watching television. The programme will be broadcast during prime time.黄金时段 adjectiveprime-time advertising.黄金时段的

prime²

(praim) verb to prepare (something) by putting something into or on it. He primed (=put gunpowder into) his gun; You must prime (=treat with primer) the wood before you paint it.使准备好ˈprimer noun1. a book that gives basic information about a subject. 入门书，初级读本 2. a substance put on a surface to prime it before painting. 底漆

prime

in (one's)/its prime

At the peak of skill or physical ability; in the most successful or productive period. In its prime, the company developed some of the most influential video games of all times. I used to be able to bench press over 250 pounds when I was in my prime.See also: prime

past (someone's or something's) prime

No longer in an ideal state or condition. Many gymnasts are past their prime when they are only teenagers. This computer is so slow that it's definitely past its prime.See also: past, prime

prime mover

The person or thing that generates the initial energy or momentum for something to happen. The newly elected congresswoman has been the prime mover in the recent environmental reforms. While there was a confluence of events leading to his removal from office, it was the revelation of his tax evasion that was the prime mover.See also: mover, prime

prime the pump

To take action that encourages the growth of something or helps it to succeed. While the government was forced to slash public expenditures following the major economic crash, they've recently begun priming the pump again across the public sectors. The only way we'll get this project off the ground is if one of the directors of the company primes the pump.See also: prime, pump

cut (one) off in (one's) prime

To cause the sudden end of something, such as one's life, when one is at the peak of their skill or physical ability, or in their most successful or productive period. It's so tragic that cancer cut that renowned tennis player off in his prime. Yeah, I used to lift weights, but chronic injuries cut me off in my prime.See also: cut, off, prime

cut (one) down in (one's) prime

To cause the sudden end of something, such as one's life, when one is at the peak of their skill or physical ability, or in their most successful or productive period. It's so tragic that cancer cut that renowned tennis player down in his prime. Yeah, I used to lift weights, but chronic injuries cut me down in my prime.See also: cut, down, prime

the prime of life

One's happiest, most successful time; the period when one has the most energy, vitality, and potential. Often structured as "the prime of (one's) life." My father was in the prime of life when he was diagnosed with cancer. It's many a man and woman who, in old age, looks back on the prime of their lives with bittersweet nostalgia.See also: life, of, prime

in (one's) prime

In or during one's happiest, most successful time; in the period when one has the most energy, vitality, and potential. My father was in his prime when he was diagnosed with cancer. Back then, I was in my prime—if I was ever going to have a shot at the big time, that was it!See also: prime

in the prime of life

In one's happiest, most successful time; in the period when one has the most energy, vitality, and potential. Often structured as "in the prime of (one's) life." My father was in the prime of life when he was diagnosed with cancer. It's many a man and woman who, in old age, looks back on the prime of their lives with bittersweet nostalgia.See also: life, of, prime

prime (someone or something) with (something)

To prepare someone or something (for some action or activity) by supplying them or it with something. You'll need to prime the lawn mower with three pumps of gasoline before you will be able to start it. He primed me with various pieces of advice and information ahead of my meeting with the prime minister.See also: prime

primed

slang Drunk. We were all pretty well primed by the time we finished the third bottle of wine. The driver seemed primed to me, so I made her get out of the car and perform roadside sobriety test.See also: prime

in one's (or its) prime

Fig. at one's or its peak or best time. Our dog—which is in its prime—is very active. The building was in its prime back in the Fifties, but it has not been well maintained. I could work long hours when I was in my prime.See also: prime

in the prime of life

Fig. in the best and most productive and healthy period of life. The good health of one's youth can carry over into the prime of life. He was struck down by a heart attack in the prime of life.See also: life, of, prime

past someone's (or something's) prime

Fig. beyond the most useful or productive period. Joan was a wonderful singer, but she's past her prime now. This old car's past its prime. I'll need to get a new one.See also: past, prime

prime mover

Fig. the force that sets something going; someone or something that starts something off. The assistant manager was the prime mover in getting the manager sacked. Discontent with his job was the prime mover in John's deciding to retire early.See also: mover, prime

prime something with something

to enable something to start working or functioning with something. Larry primed the pump with a little water, and it began to do its work. We will prime the market for our new product with a free coupon offer.See also: prime

past one's prime

Beyond the peak of one's powers, as in Jean still plays tennis but at 79 she's obviously past her prime. Also see the synonym over the hill; prime of life. See also: past, prime

prime mover

The initial source of energy directed toward a goal, someone or something that sets others in motion. For example, Jean was the prime mover in getting us more laboratory space, or Patriotism was the prime mover of the revolution. [Late 1600s] See also: mover, prime

prime of life

The best years of one's life, when one is at the peak of one's powers, as in She was in the prime of life when she began to lose her sight. The related phrase in one's prime can be applied to objects as well as persons. For example, The roses were in their prime when you last saw them. In both idioms prime means "first in quality or character." [Early 1700s] Also see past one's prime. See also: life, of, prime

prime the pump

Encourage the growth or action of something, as in Marjorie tried to prime the pump by offering some new issues for discussion. In the late 1800s this expression originally was used for pouring liquid into a pump to expel the air and make it work. In the 1930s it was applied to government efforts to stimulate the economy and thereafter was applied to other undertakings. See also: prime, pump

prime the pump

mainly AMERICAN, JOURNALISMCOMMON If someone primes the pump, they take action to help something succeed or develop, usually by spending money on it. He said he would consider priming the pump through increased spending on roads or housing if the economy declined more rapidly than expected. Note: You can also talk about pump-priming, or say that someone pump-primes an economy or a project. I think we are going to have to do some more pump-priming in order to get the economy going. The plan offers a way of pump-priming an economy which is growing too slowly. Note: To prime a water pump means to pump it until it is full of water and all the air has been forced out, so that it is ready to be used. See also: prime, pump

cut someone off (or down) in their prime

bring someone's life or career to an abrupt end while they are at the peak of their abilities.See also: cut, off, prime, someone

prime the pump

stimulate or support the growth or success of something, especially by supplying it with money. This phrase is used literally of a mechanical pump into which a small quantity of water needs to be poured before it can begin to function. 1977 Tom Sharpe The Great Pursuit Significance is all…Prime the pump with meaningful hogwash. See also: prime, pump

in the prime of (your) ˈlife

at the time in your life when you are strongest or most successful: He was struck down in the prime of his life by a heart attack. ♢ What do you mean, I’m old? I’m still in the prime of life! OPPOSITE: be past your/its bestSee also: life, of, prime

a prime ˈmover

a person or a thing that starts something and has an important influence on its development: The prime mover in setting up the group was ex-lawyer James Stanley. ♢ Economic factors are the prime mover of change.See also: mover, prime

prime the ˈpump

give somebody, an organization, etc. financial help in order to support a project, business, etc. when it is beginning: The government should really prime the pump in new high technology projects. That’s the only way they’ll be able to survive in the current economic climate. ▶ ˈpump-priming noun: The nation is relying on pump-priming to get the economy started.Originally, this was a way of making a pump work properly by adding water to it.See also: prime, pump

primed

mod. alcohol or drug intoxicated. The whole college was primed by midnight. See also: prime

prime the pump

Informal To encourage the growth or action of something.See also: prime, pump

prime of life, the

The best years of one’s life, at the peak of one’s powers. The idea that there should be a particular time of flourishing is an ancient one. Plato in The Republic defined it as a period of about twenty years in a woman’s life and thirty in a man’s. Poets, among them Robert Herrick and John Milton, generally equated one’s youth with one’s prime. However, the eccentric schoolteacher-heroine of Muriel Spark’s novel The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (and the 1969 motion picture based on it) declared the years of her rapidly advancing middle age to be her prime.See also: of, prime

prime the pump, to

To help something to succeed, as by contributing money to a cause. This Americanism dates from the nineteenth century and literally means to pour liquid into a pump so as to expel any air and make it operate. During the years of the Great Depression the phrase began to be used figuratively, at first for government measures to stimulate the lagging economy. In time it began to be used in a far more general fashion, as T. Sharpe did in The Great Pursuit (1977), “Significance is all . . . prime the pump with meaningful hogwash.”See also: prime

prime

prime

prime

prime

prime

prime

Prime

prime

prime

prime1

prime2

prime

in (one's)/its prime

past (someone's or something's) prime

prime mover

prime the pump

cut (one) off in (one's) prime

cut (one) down in (one's) prime

the prime of life

in (one's) prime

in the prime of life

prime (someone or something) with (something)

primed

in one's (or its) prime

in the prime of life

past someone's (or something's) prime

prime mover

prime something with something

past one's prime

prime mover

prime of life

prime the pump

prime the pump

cut someone off (or down) in their prime

prime the pump

in the prime of (your) ˈlife

a prime ˈmover

prime the ˈpump

primed

prime the pump

prime of life, the

prime the pump, to

prime

prime

prime

prime

prime

prime

PRIME

Prime

prime

prime

PRIME

prime

Synonyms for prime

adj main

Synonyms

adj best

Synonyms

adj fundamental

Synonyms

adj ideal

Synonyms

noun peak

Synonyms

verb inform

Synonyms

verb prepare

Synonyms

Synonyms for prime

adj of fine quality

Synonyms

adj exceptionally good of its kind

Synonyms

adj most important, influential, or significant

Synonyms

adj preceding all others in time

Synonyms

adj not derived from something else

Synonyms

prime¹

prime²