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

Example sentences from the Web for prime

British Dictionary definitions for prime

prime
/ (praɪm) /

adjective

noun

verb

Derived forms of prime

primely, adverb primeness, noun

Word 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