prime
adjective
[ prʌɪm ]
• of first importance; main.
• "a nurse's prime concern is the well-being of the patient"
Similar:
main,
chief,
key,
primary,
central,
principal,
foremost,
first,
most important,
paramount,
major,
dominant,
supreme,
overriding,
cardinal,
pre-eminent,
ultimate,
number-one,
fundamental,
basic,
essential,
elemental,
vital,
• of the best possible quality; excellent.
• "prime cuts of meat"
Similar:
top-quality,
highest quality,
top,
top-tier,
best,
first-class,
first-rate,
high-grade,
grade A,
superior,
supreme,
flawless,
choice,
select,
finest,
superlative,
peak,
optimal,
model,
excellent,
marvellous,
magnificent,
superb,
fine,
wonderful,
exceptional,
formidable,
top of the range,
top of the line,
tip-top,
A1,
stellar,
top-notch,
• (of a number) divisible only by itself and unity (e.g. 2, 3, 5, 7, 11).
prime
noun
• the state or time of greatest vigour or success in a person's life.
• "you're in the prime of life"
Similar:
heyday,
best days/years,
day,
time,
prime of one's life,
maturity,
youth,
springtime,
salad days,
bloom,
flowering,
full flowering,
perfection,
peak,
pinnacle,
height,
high point/spot,
zenith,
ascendancy,
• 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.
Origin:
Old English prīm (in prime1 (sense 2 of the noun)), 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’.
prime
verb
• make (something) ready for use or action.
• prepare (someone) for a situation, typically by supplying them with relevant information.
• "the sentries had been primed to admit him without challenge"
Similar:
brief,
give information to,
fill in,
prepare,
supply with facts,
put in the picture,
inform,
advise,
notify,
tell,
instruct,
coach,
drill,
clue in,
give someone the low-down,
gen up,
Origin:
early 16th century (in the sense ‘fill, load’): origin uncertain; probably based on Latin primus ‘first’, since the sense expressed is a ‘first’ operation prior to something else.
