prime
First in importance, degree, or rank.
Adjective 4 meanings
First in importance, degree, or rank.
“Our prime concern here is to keep the community safe.”
First in time, order, or sequence.
“Both the English and French governments established prime meridians in their capitals.”
First in excellence, quality, or value.
“This is a prime location for a bookstore.”
Having exactly two integral factors: itself and unity (1 in the case of integers).
“Thirteen is a prime number.”
Noun 4 meanings
The religious service appointed to this hour.
The most active, thriving, or successful stage or period.
The chief or best individual or part.
Something which is first in importance or rank: a prime defense company, mortgage lender, etc.
Verb 4 meanings
To fill or prepare the chamber of a mechanism for its main work.
“You'll have to press this button twice to prime the fuel pump.”
To apply a coat of primer paint to.
“I need to prime these handrails before we can apply the finish coat.”
To serve as priming for the charge of a gun.
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.
Etymology
From Middle English prime, from Old French prime and its etymon, Latin prīmus (“first”), from earlier prīsmos < *prīsemos < Proto-Italic *priisemos, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *per- (“beyond, before”). Doublet of primo and primus.
Similar and opposite words
PRIME at a glance
PRIME has 5 letters and scores 9 points in Scrabble (P 3 + R 1 + I 1 + M 3 + E 1) and 11 in Words With Friends, before board bonuses. It ranks #1,596 by how often it appears in everyday English. It is valid in ENABLE, NWL2023, Collins/SOWPODS.
Rhymes with prime
All rhymes- TIME6
- CRIME9
- LIFETIME13
- REGIME9
- ANIME7
- ANYTIME12
- SOMETIME12
- MEANTIME12
- MARITIME12
- OVERTIME13
- LIME6
- LONGTIME11
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