|
Prime - Dictionary Definition and Overview |
|
Prime : adj
1: first in rank or degree; "an architect of premier rank";
"the prime minister" [syn: premier(a), prime(a)]
2: used of the first or originating agent; "prime mover" [syn:
prime(a)]
3: of superior grade; "choice wines"; "prime beef"; "prize
carnations"; "quality paper"; "select peaches" [syn: choice,
prime(a), prize, quality, select]
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's prime vigor"- Robert
Browning
(noun)
1: a number that has no factor but itself and 1 [syn: prime
quantity]
2: the period of greatest prosperity or productivity [syn: flower,
peak, heyday, bloom, blossom, efflorescence, flush]
3: the second canonical hour; about 6 a.m.
4: the time of maturity when power and vigor are greatest [syn:
prime of life]
(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 [syn: ground, undercoat]
3: fill with priming liquid; "prime a car engine"
Based on WordNet 2.0
|
|
Prime : \Prime\, a. (Math.)
(a) Divisible by no number except itself or unity; as, 7 is a
prime number.
(b) Having no common factor; -- used with to; as, 12 is prime
to 25.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
|
|
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 forests.'' --Tennyson.
She was not the prime cause, but I myself. --Milton.
Note: In this sense the word is nearly superseded by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.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
|
|
Prime : \Prime\, v. i.
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.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
|
|
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.
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.
Note: 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. m. 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 of the moon, the new moon at its first appearance.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
|
|
Prime : \Prime\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Primed; p. pr. & vb. n.
Priming.] [Based on Prime, a.]
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.
To prime a pump, to charge a pump with water, in order to
put it in working condition.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
|
|
|
|
Example Usage of Prime |
 |
TheBuGz: Pak flip-flop on Waziristan, says offensive is still on: Karachi, Dec. 13 : Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gil... http://bit.ly/63zVL6 |
 |
EurekaSeeka: Brown vows new push to defeat Taliban: AFP KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan — Prime Minister Gordon Brown vowed a.. http://bit.ly/5O9gLV |
 |
dragontrainer: Ya, me voy. Después les cuento. Vota 5, Vota Prime. #chilevota |
|
|
