Prime
[praɪm]
Definition
(noun.) a number that has no factor but itself and 1.
(noun.) the time of maturity when power and vigor are greatest.
(noun.) the second canonical hour; about 6 a.m..
(verb.) insert a primer into (a gun, mine, or charge) preparatory to detonation or firing; 'prime a cannon'; 'prime a mine'.
(verb.) fill with priming liquid; 'prime a car engine'.
(verb.) cover with a primer; apply a primer to.
(adj.) being at the best stage of development; 'our manhood's prime vigor'- Robert Browning .
(adj.) of or relating to or being an integer that cannot be factored into other integers; 'prime number' .
(adj.) used of the first or originating agent; 'prime mover' .
Typed by Alice--From WordNet
Definition
(#) Donne (#) (pl. ) of Prima donna
(a.) First in order of time; original; primeval; primitive; primary.
(a.) First in rank, degree, dignity, authority, or importance; as, prime minister.
(a.) First in excellence; of highest quality; as, prime wheat; a prime quality of cloth.
(a.) Early; blooming; being in the first stage.
(a.) Lecherous; lustful; lewd.
(a.) Marked or distinguished by a mark (') called a prime mark.
(n.) The first part; the earliest stage; the beginning or opening, as of the day, the year, etc.; hence, the dawn; the spring.
(n.) The spring of life; youth; hence, full health, strength, or beauty; perfection.
(n.) That which is first in quantity; the most excellent portion; the best part.
(a.) The morning; specifically (R. C. Ch.), the first canonical hour, succeeding to lauds.
(a.) The first of the chief guards.
(a.) Any number expressing the combining weight or equivalent of any particular element; -- so called because these numbers were respectively reduced to their lowest relative terms on the fixed standard of hydrogen as 1.
(a.) A prime number. See under Prime, a.
(a.) An inch, as composed of twelve seconds in the duodecimal system; -- denoted by [']. See 2d Inch, n., 1.
(a.) To apply priming to, as a musket or a cannon; to apply a primer to, as a metallic cartridge.
(a.) To lay the first color, coating, or preparation upon (a surface), as in painting; as, to prime a canvas, a wall.
(a.) To prepare; to make ready; to instruct beforehand; to post; to coach; as, to prime a witness; the boys are primed for mischief.
(a.) To trim or prune, as trees.
(a.) To mark with a prime mark.
(v. i.) To be renewed, or as at first.
(v. i.) To serve as priming for the charge of a gun.
(v. i.) 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; -- said of a steam boiler.
Edited by Hamilton
Synonyms and Synonymous
a. [1]. First, original, primitive, primal, primeval, primordial, pristine, aboriginal.[2]. Highest, chief, principal, best, capital, first-rate.
n. [1]. Beginning, opening, first part, earliest stage.[2]. Youth, spring of life, early days.[3]. Perfection, flower, greatest beauty, health or strength, best days.
Typed by Elroy
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Excellent, superexcellent, first-rate, perfect, consummate
ANT:Inferior, impaired, waning, deteriorated, ordinary, second-rate, defective
SYN:Zenith, culmination, perfection, dawn, spring, cream, flower
ANT:Decadence, wane, evening, refuse, winter, decay
Typed by Brian
Definition
v.t. to put powder on the nipple of a firearm: to lay on the first coating of colour: to instruct or prepare beforehand.—v.i. to serve for the charge of a gun: in the steam-engine to carry over hot water with the steam from the boiler into the cylinder.—ns. Prī′mer; Prī′ming; Prī′ming-pow′der detonating powder: train of powder connecting a fuse with a charge.
adj. first in order of time rank or importance: chief: excellent: original: early: in early manhood: (Shak.) eager bold: (math.) incapable of being separated into factors.—n. the beginning: the dawn: the spring: the best part: the height of perfection: full health and strength: a religious service during the first hour after sunrise: (fencing) the first guard against sword-thrusts also the first and simplest thrust.—adj. Prī′mal first: original: chief.—n. Primal′ity.—adv. Prime′ly.—ns. Prime′-min′ister the chief minister of state; Prime′-mov′er the force which puts a machine in motion: a steam-engine or a water-wheel; Prime′ness; Prime′-num′ber a first number—i.e. one divisible only by itself or unity.—Prime cost (see Cost).
Editor: Ozzie
Examples
- It was early used in both the Holland and Lake boats and is still the chief prime motor. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- I've got my faculties as if I was in my prime, but names wear out, by Jove! George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- At that time he was in the prime of life, being less than fifty years of age, and possessed an admirable physique, promising long life. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- I never did see such prime company as that 'ere boy; he'll be the death of me, I know he will. Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
- The Prime Minister rose from the settee. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- This is of prime importance, as permitting quick submergence or emergence, either to escape from a high-speed destroyer or to capture a merchantman. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- When the trade had extended into all the surrounding counties, however, the new business needed another prime essential of industry--transportation facilities. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- Thus primed with the facts, and with the further suggestions of Symington, Fulton repaired to New York. Frederick C. Bakewell. Great Facts.
- He's priming himself, Osborne whispered to Dobbin, and at length the hour and the carriage arrived for Vauxhall. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- It has six chambers in the rotating breech, and is furnished with a barytes lock and one priming pan, to fire all the chambers. Frederick C. Bakewell. Great Facts.
- The hammer is split at the end, so as to clasp a match, and to carry its ignited end down to the priming powder when the trigger is pulled. Frederick C. Bakewell. Great Facts.
- The invention of percussion priming in 1800, by the Rev. Frederick C. Bakewell. Great Facts.
- The priming pan is fitted with a sliding cover, and a vertical wheel with a serrated edge projects into it, nearly in contact with the powder in the pan. Frederick C. Bakewell. Great Facts.
- The wheel lock consisted of a furrowed wheel and was turned by the trigger and chain against a fixed piece of iron on the stock to excite sparks which fell on to the priming. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- I doubt they obey that call more cheerily than the bells for primes and matins. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
Editor: Luke