adjective “prime”
base form prime, non-gradable
- most important or main
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The prime objective of the meeting is to finalize the budget.
- (of an example) the most typical; the most telling
The Mona Lisa is a prime example of Renaissance art.
- the best in quality or value
The chef used only the prime cuts of meat for the special dinner.
- (mathematics) involving a number that can only be divided by itself and one
Seven is a prime number because it can only be divided by 1 and 7.
noun “prime”
singular prime, plural primes
- the time when someone or something is at its best or most successful
She was in her prime when she won the gold medal at the Olympics.
- (music) the unison; the interval of zero semitones
The notes played by the violin and the cello form a perfect prime.
- a basic element in mathematics, especially a number that can only be divided by itself and one
The number 5 is a prime because it can only be divided by 1 and itself.
- the symbol ' used in mathematics
The teacher wrote f prime (f') on the blackboard and calculated the derivative.
- a camera lens with fixed focal length
The photographer preferred using a prime for its sharpness and simplicity.
- (psychology) something that influences someone's behavior or thoughts, often without them being aware of it
Seeing the word "doctor" acted as a prime, making it easier for her to recognize the word "nurse" quickly.
verb “prime”
infinitive prime; he primes; past tense primed; past part. primed; ger. priming
- to give someone the information they need to be ready for something
The coach primed the team with strategies before the big game.
- to make a device ready for use, often involving the process of pressurizing
He primed the paint sprayer before starting the job.
- (mathematics) To add a special symbol (prime mark) to something in math
In the equation, the teacher asked us to prime the variable x to get x'.
- to prepare a canvas by applying a special coating so that it is ready for painting