Library / English Dictionary

PRIME

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A natural number that has exactly two distinct natural number divisors: 1 and itself

Synonyms:

prime; prime quantity

Classified under:

Nouns denoting quantities and units of measure

Hypernyms ("prime" is a kind of...):

number (a concept of quantity involving zero and units)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "prime"):

prime number (an integer that has no integral factors but itself and 1)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The time of maturity when power and vigor are greatest

Synonyms:

prime; prime of life

Classified under:

Nouns denoting time and temporal relations

Hypernyms ("prime" is a kind of...):

adulthood; maturity (the period of time in your life after your physical growth has stopped and you are fully developed)

Sense 3

Meaning:

The second canonical hour; about 6 a.m.

Classified under:

Nouns denoting time and temporal relations

Hypernyms ("prime" is a kind of...):

canonical hour ((Roman Catholic Church) one of seven specified times for prayer)

Sense 4

Meaning:

The period of greatest prosperity or productivity

Synonyms:

bloom; blossom; efflorescence; flower; flush; heyday; peak; prime

Classified under:

Nouns denoting time and temporal relations

Hypernyms ("prime" is a kind of...):

period; period of time; time period (an amount of time)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "prime"):

golden age (a time period when some activity or skill was at its peak)

 II. (adjective) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

First in rank or degree

Example:

the prime minister

Synonyms:

premier; prime

Classified under:

Adjectives

Similar:

first (preceding all others in time or space or degree)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Used of the first or originating agent

Example:

prime mover

Classified under:

Adjectives

Similar:

first (preceding all others in time or space or degree)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Being at the best stage of development

Example:

our manhood's prime vigor

Synonyms:

meridian; prime

Classified under:

Adjectives

Similar:

mature (having reached full natural growth or development)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Of superior grade

Example:

select peaches

Synonyms:

choice; prime; prize; quality; select

Classified under:

Adjectives

Similar:

superior (of high or superior quality or performance)

Sense 5

Meaning:

Of or relating to or being an integer that cannot be factored into other integers

Example:

prime number

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Domain category:

math; mathematics; maths (a science (or group of related sciences) dealing with the logic of quantity and shape and arrangement)

Pertainym:

prime number (an integer that has no integral factors but itself and 1)

 III. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Insert a primer into (a gun, mine, or charge) preparatory to detonation or firing

Example:

prime a mine

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "prime" is one way to...):

fix; gear up; prepare; ready; set; set up (make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something
Somebody ----s something PP

Derivation:

primer (any igniter that is used to initiate the burning of a propellant)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Fill with priming liquid

Example:

prime a car engine

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "prime" is one way to...):

fill; fill up; make full (make full, also in a metaphorical sense)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Sense 3

Meaning:

Cover with a primer; apply a primer to

Synonyms:

ground; prime; undercoat

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "prime" is one way to...):

paint (apply paint to; coat with paint)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sentence example:

They want to prime the doors

Derivation:

primer (the first or preliminary coat of paint or size applied to a surface)

Credits

 Context examples: 

This allele, which encodes B double prime 1 protein, is involved in the initiation of RNA polymerase III-mediated transcription.

(BDP1 wt Allele, NCI Thesaurus)

The prime mission was to orbit the planet and collect data for one Earth year.

(NASA Spacecraft Achieves Unprecedented Success Studying Mercury, NASA)

They are identical at their 3-prime ends but have unique amino termini.

(Neuroendocrine-Specific Protein, NCI Thesaurus/from OMIM)

It came to me as you were talking, so I was not primed and ready to deliver it.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

The hammer fell, but there followed neither flash nor sound; the priming was useless with sea-water.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

Short DNA oligonucleotide chains used to prime DNA (and in some cases RNA) synthesis.

(Oligonucleotide Primer, NCI Thesaurus)

Activation of the DBL oncogene is generated by 5-prime recombination with chromosome 3pter-p21 and by 3-prime recombination with chromosome 16p13-q22.

(Oncogene DBL, NCI Thesaurus)

PGG beta-glucan binds to an alternate site on the neutrophil complement receptor 3 (CR3), priming the neurophil to become cytotoxic when binding to complement on tumor cells via CR3.

(PGG Beta-Glucan, NCI Thesaurus)

And besides, I want to play something more to you—a very pretty piece—and your cousin Edmund's prime favourite.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

I've known it long enough to lose my dread and be happy working for those I love, and don't call yourself old—forty is the prime of life.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)