prime
1. prime \'pri-m\ n [ME, fr. OE pri-m, fr. L prima hora first hour] often
cap 1a: the second of the canonical hours 1b: the 1st hour of the day
2a: the earliest stage 2b: SPRING 2c: YOUTH 3: the most active,
thriving, or successful stage or period 4: the chief or best individual or
part : PICK 5: a number that has no factor except itself and one 6:
UNISON 7: the first of the eight defensive positions in fencing 8: the
symbol <prime>
2. prime aj [ME, fr. MF, fem. of prin first, fr. L primus; akin to L priorX
1: first in time : ORIGINAL 2a: having no factor except itself and one {3
is a ~ number} 2b: having no common factor except one {12 and 25 are
relatively ~ } 3a: first in rank, authority, or significance : PRINCIPAL
3b: first in excellence, quality, or value {~ beef} 4: not deriving from
something else : PRIMARY - prime.ly av
3. prime vb [prob. fr. 1prime] 1: FILL, LOAD 2: to prepare for firing by
supplying with priming or a primer 3: to lay the first color, coating, or
preparation on in painting 4: to put into working order by filling or
charging with something 5: to instruct beforehand : COACH 6: STIMULATE :
to become prime