prime

prime
prime1
adjective
1》 of first importance; main; primary.
2》 of the best possible quality; excellent.
    ↘having all the expected characteristics.
    ↘most suitable or likely.
3》 (of a number) divisible only by itself and one (e.g. 2, 3, 5, 7, 11).
noun
1》 a state or time of greatest vigour or success in a person's life.
    ↘archaic the beginning or earliest period.
2》 a prime number.
3》 Printing a symbol (ʻ) written as a distinguishing mark or to denote minutes or feet.
4》 Fencing the first of the eight parrying positions. [Fr.]
5》 a special section in a cycle race.
6》 Christian Church a service traditionally said at the first hour of the day (i.e. 6 a.m.), but now little used.
Derivatives
primeness noun
Origin
OE prīm (n.), from L. prima (hora) 'first (hour)', reinforced in ME by OFr. prime, from L. primus 'first'.
————————
prime2
verb
1》 make (something, especially a firearm or bomb) ready for use or action.
2》 pour or spray liquid into (a pump) to facilitate its working.
    ↘inject extra fuel into (an engine) to facilitate starting.
    ↘(of a boiler) produce steam mixed with water.
3》 prepare (someone) for a situation, especially by giving instructions or information.
4》 Biology & Medicine induce a susceptibility in.
5》 cover (a surface) with primer.
Phrases
prime the pump stimulate growth or success by supplying money.
Origin
C16 (in the sense 'fill, load'): prob. based on L. primus 'first'.

English new terms dictionary. 2014.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР
Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • prime — 1. (pri m ) adj.    Mot ancien qui signifiait premier, et qui n est plus usité seul ; on s en sert encore dans les locutions suivantes. 1°   De prime abord, en premier lieu. •   De prime abord sont par la bonne dame Expédiés tous les péchés menus …   Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré

  • Prime — can refer to: * Prime number, an integer greater than 1 which is only divisible by 1 and itself * Prime (symbol), the ′ mark ** 3′ end and 5′ end ( three prime end , five prime end ) in biochemistry * Prime (liturgy), a liturgical office (service …   Wikipedia

  • Prime — Prime, a. [F., fr. L. primus first, a superl. corresponding to the compar. prior former. See {Prior}, a., {Foremost}, {Former}, and cf. {Prim}, a., {Primary}, {Prince}.] 1. First in order of time; original; primeval; primitive; primary. Prime… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Prime — • Article on the office of Prime, now suppressed Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Prime     Prime     † …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Prime — Prime, n. 1. The first part; the earliest stage; the beginning or opening, as of the day, the year, etc.; hence, the dawn; the spring. Chaucer. [1913 Webster] In the very prime of the world. Hooker. [1913 Webster] Hope waits upon the flowery… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • prime-1 — [ˌpraɪm ˈwʌn] noun [singular] FINANCE a rating given by some credit showing that the risk of non payment of a loan etc is very low. Prime 1 is the best rating, followed by prime 2 and prime 3: • Moody s assigned their top ratings prime 1 and A 1… …   Financial and business terms

  • prime — [prīm] adj. [ME < MFr < L primus, first < OL pri, before < IE base * per , beyond > FAR, FIRST] 1. first in time; original; primitive; primary 2. first in rank or authority; chief [the prime minister] 3. first in importance or… …   English World dictionary

  • PRIME — (Privacy and Identity Management for Europe / Datenschutz und Identitätsmanagement für Europa) ist der Name eines Projektes innerhalb des 6. EU Rahmenprogramms. Der Start des PRIME Projektes fand in Brunnen, Schweiz, vom 8. bis 12. März 2004… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • prime — PRIME. s. f. La premiere des heures Canoniales. Chanter Prime. assister à Prime. Il se dit aussi d une sorte de Jeu aux cartes. Il y a deux sortes de prime. la grand prime. la petite prime. cartes de prime. joüer à la prime. il a perdu son argent …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • prime — 1 n 1: prime rate 2: general contractor prime 2 vt primed, prim·ing: to have priority over a perfected security …   Law dictionary

  • Prime-2 — Prime 1/Prime 2/Prime 3 ► FINANCE a rating (= measurement of how good something is) given to a loan to show how much of a risk there is that the loan will not be paid back. A Prime 1 rating means that the risk is very low. A Prime 2 or Prime 3… …   Financial and business terms

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”