PRIME


Meaning of PRIME in English

~ 1

■ 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 ~ 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

~ness noun

Origin

OE prīm (n.), from L. prima (hora) 'first (hour)', reinforced in ME by OFr. ~ , from L. primus 'first'.

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~ 2

■ 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 ~r.

Phrases

~ the pump stimulate growth or success by supplying money.

Origin

C16 (in the sense 'fill, load'): prob. based on L. primus 'first'.

Concise Oxford English vocab.      Сжатый оксфордский словарь английского языка.