[prʌɪm], (Adjective)

Definitions:
- of first importance; main
(e.g: a nurse's prime concern is the well-being of the patient)

- of the best possible quality; excellent
(e.g: prime cuts of meat)

- (of a number) divisible only by itself and unity (e.g. 2, 3, 5, 7, 11)


Phrases:

Origin:
Old English prīm (in prime), from Latin prima (hora) ‘first (hour)’, reinforced in Middle English by Old French prime; the adjective dates from late Middle English, via Old French from Latin primus ‘first’

[prʌɪm], (Noun)

Definitions:
- the state or time of greatest vigour or success in a person's life
(e.g: you're in the prime of life)

- a service forming part of the Divine Office of the Western Church, traditionally said at the first hour of the day (i.e. 6 a.m.), but now little used

- a prime number

- a symbol (ʹ) written after a letter or symbol as a distinguishing mark or after a figure as a symbol for minutes or feet

- the first of eight parrying positions, used to protect the upper inside of the body, with the sword hand at head height in pronation and the tip of the blade pointing downwards

- a special section in a cycle race, attracting a special prize


Phrases:

Origin:
Old English prīm (in prime), from Latin prima (hora) ‘first (hour)’, reinforced in Middle English by Old French prime; the adjective dates from late Middle English, via Old French from Latin primus ‘first’

[prʌɪm], (Verb)

Definitions:
- make (something) ready for use or action

- prepare (someone) for a situation, typically by supplying them with relevant information
(e.g: the sentries had been primed to admit him without challenge)


Phrases:
- prime the pump

Origin:
early 16th century (in the sense ‘fill, load’): origin uncertain; probably based on French prime or its etymon Latin primus ‘first’, since the sense expressed is a ‘first’ operation prior to something else