prime Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a number that has no factor but itself and 1
    prime quantity.
  2. noun the period of greatest prosperity or productivity
    flower; blossom; efflorescence; peak; flush; bloom; heyday.
  3. noun the second canonical hour; about 6 a.m.
  4. noun the time of maturity when power and vigor are greatest
    prime of life.
  5. verb insert a primer into (a gun, mine, or charge) preparatory to detonation or firing
    • prime a cannon
    • prime a mine
  6. verb cover with a primer; apply a primer to
    undercoat; ground.
  7. verb fill with priming liquid
    • prime a car engine
  8. adjective satellite first in rank or degree
    premier.
    • an architect of premier rank
    • the prime minister
  9. adjective satellite used of the first or originating agent
    • prime mover
  10. adjective satellite of superior grade
    quality; prize; select; choice.
    • choice wines
    • prime beef
    • prize carnations
    • quality paper
    • select peaches
  11. adjective of or relating to or being an integer that cannot be factored into other integers
    • prime number
  12. adjective satellite being at the best stage of development
    meridian.
    • our manhood's prime vigor"- Robert Browning

WordNet

Prime adjective
Etymology
F., fr. L. primus first, a superl. corresponding to the compar. prior former. See Prior, a., Foremost, Former, and cf. Prim, a., Primary, Prince.
Definitions
  1. First in order of time; original; primeval; primitive; primary. "Prime forests." Tennyson.
    She was not the prime cause, but I myself. Milton.
    ✍ In this sense the word is nearly superseded by primitive, except in the phrase prime cost.
  2. First in rank, degree, dignity, authority, or importance; as, prime minister. "Prime virtues." Dryden.
  3. First in excellence; of highest quality; as, prime wheat; a prime quality of cloth.
  4. Early; blooming; being in the first stage. Poetic
    His starry helm, unbuckled, showed him prime In manhood where youth ended. Milton.
  5. Lecherous; lustful; lewd. Obs. Shak.
  6. Marked or distinguished by a mark (') called a prime mark. same mark used for weak accent, and minutes of a degree
Prime noun
Definitions
  1. The first part; the earliest stage; the beginning or opening, as of the day, the year, etc.; hence, the dawn; the spring. Chaucer.
    In the very prime of the world. Hooker.
    Hope waits upon the flowery prime. Waller.
  2. The spring of life; youth; hence, full health, strength, or beauty; perfection. "Cut off in their prime." Eustace. "The prime of youth." Dryden.
  3. That which is first in quantity; the most excellent portion; the best part.
    Give him always of the prime. Swift.
  4. F. prime, LL. prima (sc. hora). See Prime, a. The morning; specifically (R. C. Ch.), the first canonical hour, succeeding to lauds.
    Early and late it rung, at evening and at prime. Spenser.
    ✍ Originally, prime denoted the first quarter of the artificial day, reckoned from 6 a. m. to 6 p. m. Afterwards, it denoted the end of the first quarter, that is, 9 a. a. Specifically, it denoted the first canonical hour, as now. Chaucer uses it in all these senses, and also in the sense of def. 1, above.
    They sleep till that it was pryme large. Chaucer.
  5. (Fencing) The first of the chief guards.
  6. (Chem.) Any number expressing the combining weight or equivalent of any particular element; -- so called because these numbers were respectively reduced to their lowest relative terms on the fixed standard of hydrogen as 1. Obs. or Archaic
  7. (Arith.) A prime number. See under Prime, a.
  8. An inch, as composed of twelve seconds in the duodecimal system; -- denoted by [']. See 2d Inch, n., 1.
Prime transitive verb
Etymology
From Prime, a.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Primed ; present participle & verbal noun Priming
Definitions
  1. To apply priming to, as a musket or a cannon; to apply a primer to, as a metallic cartridge.
  2. To lay the first color, coating, or preparation upon (a surface), as in painting; as, to prime a canvas, a wall.
  3. To prepare; to make ready; to instruct beforehand; to post; to coach; as, to prime a witness; the boys are primed for mischief. Colloq. Thackeray.
  4. To trim or prune, as trees. Obs. or Prov. Eng.
  5. (Math.) To mark with a prime mark.
Prime intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To be renewed, or as at first. Obs.
    Night's bashful empress, though she often wane, As oft repeats her darkness, primes again. Quarles
    .
  2. To serve as priming for the charge of a gun.
  3. To work so that foaming occurs from too violent ebullition, which causes water to become mixed with, and be carried along with, the steam that is formed; -- said of a steam boiler.

Webster 1913