prime |
| noun
- the earliest stage
- the most active, thriving, or successful stage or period
- the chief or best individual or part
- (music) The first note or tone of a musical scale.
- (fencing) The first defensive position, with the sword hand held at head height, and the tip of the sword at head height.
- (context, algebra, number theory) A prime element of a mathematical structure, particularly a prime number.
- 3 is a prime.
- (backgammon) Six consecutive blocks, which prevent the opponent's pieces from passing.
- I'm threatening to build a prime here.
verb (prim, es)
- (transitive) To prepare a mechanism for its main work.
- You'll have to press this button twice to prime the fuel pump.
- (transitive) To apply a coat of primer paint to.
- I need to prime these handrails before we can apply the finish coat.
adjective
- First in time, order, or sequence
- Both the English and French governments established prime meridians in their capitals.
- First in excellence, quality, or value.
- This is a prime location for a bookstore.
- (mathematics) Having no integral factors except itself and unity (1 in the case of integers).
- Thirteen is a prime number.
- First in importance, degree, or rank.
- Our prime concern here is to keep the community safe.
- (mathematics) Having its complement closed under multiplication: said only of ideals.
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