First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1prime
noun \ˈprīm\
: the period in life when a person is best in health, strength, etc. : the most active or successful time of a person's life
Full Definition of PRIME
1
a often capitalized : the second of the canonical hours b : the first hour of the day usually considered either as 6 a.m. or the hour of sunrise
3
: the most active, thriving, or satisfying stage or period <in the prime of his life>
4
: the chief or best individual or part : pick <prime of the flock, and choicest of the stall — Alexander Pope>
5
6
a : the first note or tone of a musical scale : tonic b : the interval between two notes on the same staff degree
7
: the symbol ′ used to distinguish arbitrary characters (as a and a′), to indicate a specific unit (as feet or minutes of time or angular measure), or to indicate the derivative of a function (as p′ or f′(x)) — compare double prime
8
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Origin of PRIME
Middle English, from Old English prīm, from Latin prima hora first hour
Related to PRIME
- Synonyms
- blossom, florescence, floruit, flower, flush, heyday, high noon, bloom, salad days, springtime
Other Calendar Terms
2prime
adjective
: most important
: of the highest quality or value
—used to say that someone or something is a very good example of a particular kind of person or thing
Full Definition of PRIME
1
: first in time : original
2
a : of, relating to, or being a prime number — compare relatively prime b : having no polynomial factors other than itself and no monomial factors other than 1 <a prime polynomial> c : expressed as a product of prime factors (as prime numbers and prime polynomials) <a prime factorization>
3
a : first in rank, authority, or significance : principal <a prime example> b : having the highest quality or value <prime farmland> c : of the highest grade regularly marketed —used of meat and especially beef
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Origin of PRIME
Middle English, from Anglo-French, feminine of prim first, from Latin primus; akin to Latin prior
First Known Use: 14th century
Related to PRIME
Other Business Terms
3prime
verb
: to make (someone) ready to do something
: to make (something) ready for use
: to cover (a surface) with special paint in order to prepare it for the final layer of paint
primedprim·ing
Full Definition of PRIME
transitive verb
2
3
: to apply the first color, coating, or preparation to <prime a wall>
4
a : to put into working order by filling or charging with something <prime a pump with water> b : to supply with an essential prerequisite (as a hormone, nucleic acid, or antigen) for chemical or biological activity <primed female mice with estrogen>
5
: to instruct beforehand : coach <primed the witness>
6
intransitive verb
: to become prime
— prime the pump
: to take steps to encourage the growth or functioning of something
See prime defined for English-language learners
Origin of PRIME
probably from 1prime
First Known Use: 1513
PRIMES Defined for Kids
1prime
noun \ˈprīm\
Definition of PRIME for Kids
: the period in life when a person is best in health, looks, or strength
2prime
adjective
Definition of PRIME for Kids
: first in importance, rank, or quality <Spring is a prime season to work outdoors.>
3prime
verb
primedprim·ing
Definition of PRIME for Kids
1
: to put a first color or coating on <Prime the wall before painting.>
2
: to put into working order by filling <prime a pump>
3
: to make (someone or something) ready <The coach is priming him to be quarterback.>
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