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prime |
6 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Prime \Prime\, a. (Math.) a Divisible by no number except itself or unity; as 7 is a prime number. b Having no common factor; -- used with to as 12 is prime to 25. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Prime \Prime\, a. [F., fr L. primus first a superl. corresponding to the compar. prior former. See {Prior}, a., {Foremost}, {Former}, and cf {Prim}, a., {Primary}, {Prince}.] 1. First in order of time; original; primeval; primitive; primary. ``Prime forests.'' --Tennyson. She was not the prime cause but I myself. --Milton. Note: In this sense the word is nearly superseded by primitive, except in the phrase prime cost. 2. First in rank, degree, dignity, authority, or importance; as prime minister. ``Prime virtues.'' --Dryden. 3. First in excellence; of highest quality; as prime wheat; a prime quality of cloth. 4. Early; blooming; being in the first stage. [Poetic] His starry helm, unbuckled, showed him prime In manhood where youth ended. --Milton. 5. Lecherous; lustful; lewd. [Obs.] --Shak. 6. Marked or distinguished by a mark (') called a prime mark. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Prime \Prime\, v. i. 1. To be renewed, or as at first [Obs.] Night's bashful empress, though she often wane, As oft repeats her darkness, primes again --Quarles. 2. To serve as priming for the charge of a gun. 3. 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. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Prime \Prime\, n. 1. The first part the earliest stage; the beginning or opening, as of the day the year, etc.; hence the dawn; the spring. --Chaucer. In the very prime of the world. --Hooker. Hope waits upon the flowery prime. --Waller. 2. The spring of life; youth; hence full health, strength, or beauty; perfection. ``Cut off in their prime.'' --Eustace. ``The prime of youth.'' --Dryden. 3. That which is first in quantity; the most excellent portion; the best part Give him always of the prime. --Swift. 4. [F. prime, LL prima (sc. hora). See {Prime}, a.] The morning; specifically (R. C. Ch.), the first canonical hour, succeeding to lauds. Early and late it rung, at evening and at prime. --Spenser. Note: Originally, prime denoted the first quarter of the artificial day reckoned from 6 a. m. to 6 p. m. Afterwards, it denoted the end of the first quarter, that is 9 a. m. Specifically, it denoted the first canonical hour, as now Chaucer uses it in all these senses and also in the sense of def. 1, above. They sleep till that it was pryme large --Chaucer. 5. (Fencing) The first of the chief guards. 6. (Chem.) 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. [Obs. or Archaic] 7. (Arith.) A prime number. See under {Prime}, a. 8. An inch, as composed of twelve seconds in the duodecimal system; -- denoted by [']. See 2d {Inch}, n., 1. {Prime of the moon}, the new moon at its first appearance. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Prime \Prime\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Primed}; p. pr & vb n. {Priming}.] [From {Prime}, a.] 1. To apply priming to as a musket or a cannon; to apply a primer to as a metallic cartridge. 2. To lay the first color, coating, or preparation upon (a surface), as in painting; as to prime a canvas, a wall. 3. To prepare; to make ready; to instruct beforehand; to post to coach; as to prime a witness; the boys are primed for mischief. [Colloq.] --Thackeray. 4. To trim or prune, as trees. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] 5. (Math.) To mark with a prime mark. {To prime a pump}, to charge a pump with water, in order to put it in working condition. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: prime adj 1: first in rank or degree; "an architect of premier rank"; "the prime minister" [syn: {premier(a)}, {prime(a)}] 2: used of the first or originating agent; "prime mover" [syn: {prime(a)}] 3: of superior grade; "choice wines"; "fine wines" "prime beef"; "prize carnations"; "quality paper"; "select peaches" [syn: {choice}, {fine}, {prime(a)}, {prize}, {quality}, {select}] 4: (math) of or relating to or being an integer that cannot be factored into other integers; "prime number" 5: at the best stage; "our manhood's prime vigor"- Robert Browning n 1: a quantity that has no factor but itself and 1 [syn: {prime quantity}] 2: the period of greatest prosperity or productivity [syn: {flower}, {peak}, {heyday}, {bloom}, {blossom}, {efflorescence}, {flush}] 3: the second canonical hour; about 6 a.m. 4: the time of maturity when power and vigor are greatest [syn: {prime of life}] v 1: insert a primer into (a gun, mine, charge, etc.) preparatory to detonation or firing; "prime a cannon"; "prime a mine" 2: cover with a primer; apply a primer to [syn: {ground}, {undercoat}] 3: fill with priming liquid; "prime a car engine"
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