prime
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Related to primes: Primus, Twin primes
prime
(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.
Idiom: To become prepared for future action or operation.
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.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
prime
(praɪm)adj
1. (prenominal) first in quality or value; first-rate
2. (prenominal) fundamental; original
3. (prenominal) first in importance, authority, etc; chief
4. (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.
n
6. the time when a thing is at its best
7. 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 spring
9. (Mathematics) maths short for prime number
10. (Linguistics) linguistics a semantically indivisible element; minimal component of the sense of a word
11. (Music, other) music
a. unison
b. the tonic of a scale
12. (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 sunrise
13. (Fencing) the first of eight basic positions from which a parry or attack can be made in fencing
vb
14. to prepare (something); make ready
15. (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 starting
17. (Automotive Engineering) (tr) to increase the quantity of fuel in the float chamber of (a carburettor) in order to facilitate the starting of an engine
18. (Firearms, Gunnery, Ordnance & Artillery) (tr) to insert a primer into (a gun, mine, charge, etc) preparatory to detonation or firing
19. (Mechanical Engineering) (intr) (of a steam engine or boiler) to operate with or produce steam mixed with large amounts of water
20. (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
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
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.
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.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
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.
Farlex Trivia Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.
prime
Past participle: primed
Gerund: priming
| Imperative |
|---|
| prime |
| prime |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
Prime
One-twelfth of a square foot.
1001 Words and Phrases You Never Knew You Didn’t Know by W.R. Runyan Copyright © 2011 by W.R. Runyan
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Noun | 1. |  prime - a number that has no factor but itself and 1number - 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 productivity period, 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 greatest | |
| Verb | 1. | prime - insert a primer into (a gun, mine, or charge) preparatory to detonation or firing; "prime a cannon"; "prime a mine" |
| 2. |  prime - cover with a primer; apply a primer topaint - apply paint to; coat with paint; "We painted the rooms yellow" | |
| 3. | prime - fill with priming liquid; "prime a car engine" | |
| Adj. | 1. | prime - first in rank or degree; "an architect of premier rank"; "the prime minister" 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" |
| 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"superior - 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 Browning mature - having reached full natural growth or development; "a mature cell" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
prime
adjective
1. 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 modernism
noun
verb
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
prime
adjective1. Of fine quality:
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.
Slang: boss.
Chiefly British: tophole.
3. Most important, influential, or significant:
4. Preceding all others in time:
A condition or time of vigor and freshness:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
اوَّل، أهَم، رَئيسيريَعان الشَّبابمُمتاز، أفْضَليُعِدُّ قَبْلَ إضافَة أي شَيء
primer
nabítnanést podkladnejdůležitějšínejkrásnější dobanejlepší
bedstden bedste alderførste-højestpræparere
algarvesimeneparim
alkulukuensiluokkainenjaotonpää-priima
bestur, fyrsta flokksblómimegin-, aîal-undirbúa; grunna; setja púîur
下塗りをする主音初期原始呼び水を差す
galvenaisgruntētlieliskspielādētpiepildīt
número primoprimo
najdôležitejšínajkrajšie obdobienatrieť podklad
najpomembnejšiprašteviloprvi
börjanförstprimtidigast
prime
[praɪm]A. ADJ
1. (= major, main) [cause, objective, target] → principal
the/a prime cause of stress in the workplace → la principal causa/una de las principales causas de estrés en el trabajo
the prime candidate to take over his job is May Reid → May Reid es la candidata con más posibilidades de sustituirle en el puesto
our prime concern is public safety → nuestra mayor or principal preocupación es la seguridad ciudadana
to be of prime importance → ser de primordial importancia, ser de fundamental importancia
he's the prime suspect → es el principal sospechoso
the/a prime cause of stress in the workplace → la principal causa/una de las principales causas de estrés en el trabajo
the prime candidate to take over his job is May Reid → May Reid es la candidata con más posibilidades de sustituirle en el puesto
our prime concern is public safety → nuestra mayor or principal preocupación es la seguridad ciudadana
to be of prime importance → ser de primordial importancia, ser de fundamental importancia
he's the prime suspect → es el principal sospechoso
2. (= top-quality, excellent) [real estate, property] → de primera; [ingredient, cut] → de primera (calidad)
to be in prime condition [cattle, fruit, car] → estar en perfecto estado; [athlete] → estar en plena forma
prime quality beef → carne f de vaca de primera (calidad)
prime rib(s) → costillas fpl de primera (calidad)
a prime site → un lugar privilegiado
to be in prime condition [cattle, fruit, car] → estar en perfecto estado; [athlete] → estar en plena forma
prime quality beef → carne f de vaca de primera (calidad)
prime rib(s) → costillas fpl de primera (calidad)
a prime site → un lugar privilegiado
3. (= classic) → perfecto
a prime example of what to avoid → un perfecto ejemplo de lo que se debe evitar
a prime example of what to avoid → un perfecto ejemplo de lo que se debe evitar
4. (Math) [number] → primo
B. N
1. (= best years)
when trade unionism was in its prime → cuando el sindicalismo estaba en su apogeo
to be in one's prime or in the prime of life [person] → estar en la flor de la vida
to be cut off or cut down in one's prime → morir en la flor de la vida
he's past his prime → ya ha dejado atrás los mejores años de su vida
the hotel was past its prime (hum) → el hotel ya había dejado atrás sus días de gloria
when trade unionism was in its prime → cuando el sindicalismo estaba en su apogeo
to be in one's prime or in the prime of life [person] → estar en la flor de la vida
to be cut off or cut down in one's prime → morir en la flor de la vida
he's past his prime → ya ha dejado atrás los mejores años de su vida
the hotel was past its prime (hum) → el hotel ya había dejado atrás sus días de gloria
2. (Rel) → prima f
C. VT
1. (prior to painting) → imprimar, preparar; (with primer) → aplicar una capa de imprimación a; (with undercoat) → aplicar una capa de (pintura) base a; (with anticorrosive) → aplicar una capa de pintura anticorrosiva a
2. (prior to use) [+ gun, pump] → cebar
he primed the bomb to go off at ten → cebó la bomba para que explotara a las diez
to prime the pump → sacar las cosas adelante
he was willing to prime the pump by offering finance → estaba dispuesto a ofrecerse a financiarlo para que saliera adelante
public investment is the best way of priming the pump of economic activity → la inversión pública es la mejor forma de promover la actividad ecónomica
he primed the bomb to go off at ten → cebó la bomba para que explotara a las diez
to prime the pump → sacar las cosas adelante
he was willing to prime the pump by offering finance → estaba dispuesto a ofrecerse a financiarlo para que saliera adelante
public investment is the best way of priming the pump of economic activity → la inversión pública es la mejor forma de promover la actividad ecónomica
3. (= prepare) [+ student, politician, soldier] → preparar
she came well primed for the interview → vino a la entrevista bien preparada
they had been primed to expect the worst → se les había preparado para lo peor
to keep troops primed for combat → tener a las tropas listas para el combate
he had been primed to say that → le habían dado instrucciones para que dijera eso
she came well primed for the interview → vino a la entrevista bien preparada
they had been primed to expect the worst → se les había preparado para lo peor
to keep troops primed for combat → tener a las tropas listas para el combate
he had been primed to say that → le habían dado instrucciones para que dijera eso
4. (with drink) he arrived well primed → llegó ya bien bebido
he primed himself for the interview with a stiff whisky → se tomó un whisky fuerte como preparación para la entrevista
he primed himself for the interview with a stiff whisky → se tomó un whisky fuerte como preparación para la entrevista
D. CPD prime cost N → coste m neto, coste m de producción
prime factor N → factor m primordial, factor m principal
the prime meridian N (Geog) → el meridiano de Greenwich
prime minister N → primer(a) ministro/a m/f
prime ministership N (= period of office) → mandato m como primer ministro; (= office) → cargo m de(l) primer ministro
prime mover N (= person) → promotor(a) m/f (Philos) → primer motor m
a prime mover in Middle East events → una de las promotoras de los acontecimientos en el Oriente Medio
prime number N (Math) → número m primo
prime rate N → tipo m de interés preferencial
prime lending rate → tipo m de interés preferencial sobre los préstamos
prime time N (TV) → horas fpl de máxima or mayor audiencia
the programme was repeated in prime time → el programa se repitió a una de las horas de máxima or mayor audiencia
see also prime-time
prime factor N → factor m primordial, factor m principal
the prime meridian N (Geog) → el meridiano de Greenwich
prime minister N → primer(a) ministro/a m/f
prime ministership N (= period of office) → mandato m como primer ministro; (= office) → cargo m de(l) primer ministro
prime mover N (= person) → promotor(a) m/f (Philos) → primer motor m
a prime mover in Middle East events → una de las promotoras de los acontecimientos en el Oriente Medio
prime number N (Math) → número m primo
prime rate N → tipo m de interés preferencial
prime lending rate → tipo m de interés preferencial sobre los préstamos
prime time N (TV) → horas fpl de máxima or mayor audiencia
the programme was repeated in prime time → el programa se repitió a una de las horas de máxima or mayor audiencia
see also prime-time
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
prime
[ˈpraɪm] adj
(= fundamental) [concern] → premier/ière after n; [requirement] → primordial(e)
to be of prime importance → être de première importance
to be of prime importance → être de première importance
vt
(= inform) → informer
(= prepare) to prime sb to do sth → préparer qn à faire qch
to be primed to do sth → être préparé(e) à faire qch
to be primed to do sth → être préparé(e) à faire qch
n
in one's prime → au mieux de sa forme
to be in one's prime → être dans la fleur de l'âge
in the prime of life → dans la fleur de l'âge
to be past one's prime → ne plus être au mieux de sa formeprime minister Prime Minister n → Premier ministre m/fprime mover n (= person) → instigateur/trice m/f
to be the prime mover in sth → être l'instigateur/trice m/f de qchprime number n → nombre m premier
in one's prime → au mieux de sa forme
to be in one's prime → être dans la fleur de l'âge
in the prime of life → dans la fleur de l'âge
to be past one's prime → ne plus être au mieux de sa formeprime minister Prime Minister n → Premier ministre m/fprime mover n (= person) → instigateur/trice m/f
to be the prime mover in sth → être l'instigateur/trice m/f de qchprime number n → nombre m premier
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
prime
adj
(= major, chief) → Haupt-, wesentlich; target, objective → hauptsächtlich, oberste(r, s), höchste(r, s); candidate → erste(r, s); cause → hauptsächlich, häufigste(r, s); requirement → erste(r, s), oberste(r, s); prime suspect → Hauptverdächtige(r) mf; of prime importance → von größter Bedeutung, von äußerster Wichtigkeit; my prime concern → mein Hauptanliegen nt; she was a prime favourite → sie war eine hohe Favoritin
(= excellent) → erstklassig, beste(r, s); example → erstklassig; in prime condition (meat, fruit etc) → von hervorragender Qualität; athlete, car etc → in erstklassiger or hervorragender Verfassung; prime cut → Stück nt → bester Qualität prime example → Paradebeispiel nt, → klassisches Beispiel
n
(= full vigour) in the prime of life → in der Blüte seiner Jahre; he is in his prime → er ist im besten Alter or in den besten Jahren; (singer, artist) → er ist an seinem Höhepunkt angelangt; he was cut down in his prime → er wurde in der Blüte seiner Jahre dahingerafft; he is past his prime → er ist über sein bestes Alter or seine besten Jahre hinaus; (singer, artist) → er hat seine beste Zeit hinter sich; this city is past its prime → diese Stadt hat auch schon bessere Zeiten gesehen
(Math) → Primzahl f
(Eccl: also Prime) → Prim f
vt
gun → schussfertig machen; bomb → scharf machen; pump → vorpumpen; carburettor → Anlasskraftstoff einspritzen in (+acc)
surface (for painting) → grundieren
(with advice, information) → instruieren
person (with drink) → alkoholisieren, unter Alkohol setzen
prime
:prime factor
n (Math) → Primfaktor m
prime meridian
n → Nullmeridian m
prime minister
n → Ministerpräsident(in) m(f), → Premierminister(in) m(f)
prime ministerial
adj → des Premierministers, der Premierministerin
prime ministership
prime mover
n (Phys, Tech) → Zugmaschine f; (Philos) → bewegende Kraft, Triebfeder f; (fig: = person) → treibende Kraft
prime number
n (Math) → Primzahl f
prime
:prime ribs
pl → Hochrippen pl
prime time
n → Hauptsendezeit f
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
prime
[praɪm]1. adj
a. (chief, major, gen) → principale, primario/a, fondamentale; (cause, reason) → primo/a, fondamentale
of prime importance → della massima importanza
of prime importance → della massima importanza
b. (excellent, example) → superbo/a; (meat) → di prima scelta
of prime quality → di prima scelta
in prime condition (car, athlete) → in perfette condizioni (fruit) → in condizioni perfette
of prime quality → di prima scelta
in prime condition (car, athlete) → in perfette condizioni (fruit) → in condizioni perfette
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
prime1
(praim) adjective1. first or most important. the prime minister; a matter of prime importance.
2. best. in prime condition.
noun the best part (of a person's etc life, usually early middle age). He is in his prime; the prime of life.
ˈprimary adjective1. first or most important. his primary concern.
2. of the first level or stage. a primary school.
ˈprimarily (praiˈmerəli) adverb chiefly; in the first place. I wrote the play primarily as a protest, and only secondarily as entertainment.
primary colours (of pigments, but not of light) those colours from which all others can be made, ie red, blue and yellow.
prime minister the chief minister of a government.
prime number a number that can only be divided without a remainder by itself and 1, eg 3, 5, 7, 31.
ˈprime time noun the evening hours, the time when most viewers are watching television. The programme will be broadcast during prime time.
adjectiveprime-time advertising.
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.
ˈprimer noun1. a book that gives basic information about a subject.
2. a substance put on a surface to prime it before painting.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
prime
a. primero-a, principal;
v.
to be in one's ___ → estar en la flor de la vida.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012