Origin of prime
before 1000; 1910–15
for def 5; (adj.) Middle English (< Old French
prim) < Latin
prīmus
first (superlative corresponding to
prior
prior1); (noun) in part derivative of the adj.; in part continuing Middle English
prim(e) first canonical hour, Old English
prim < Latin
prīma (
hōra) first (hour); (v.) apparently derivative of the adj.
SYNONYMS FOR prime
1
primary.
7
Prime,
primeval,
primitive have reference to that which is first.
Prime means first in numerical order or order of development:
prime meridian; prime cause.
Primeval means belonging to the first or earliest ages:
the primeval forest.
Primitive suggests the characteristics of the origins or early stages of a development, and hence implies the simplicity of original things:
primitive tribes, conditions, ornaments, customs, tools.
OTHER WORDS FROM prime
Words nearby prime
Example sentences from the Web for prime
British Dictionary definitions for prime
prime
/ (praɪm) /
adjective
noun
verb
Derived forms of prime
primely, adverb primeness, nounWord Origin for prime
(adj) C14: from Latin
prīmus first; (n) C13: from Latin
prīma (
hora) the first (hour); (vb) C16: of uncertain origin, probably connected with n
Idioms and Phrases with prime
prime