prime

prime¹
adjective

of first importance; main
首要的；主要的
a nurse's prime concern is the well-being of the patient.
护士最关注的就是病人的健康。
■from which another thing may derive or proceed
最初的；原始的；基本的
Diogenes' conclusion that air is the prime matter.
戴奥真尼关于空气是万物之源的论断。
[attrib.]of the best possible quality; excellent
最好的，头等的，第一流的
a prime site in the centre of Glasgow.
格拉斯哥市中心最好的位置。
prime cuts of meat.
上等部位的肉。
■having all the expected or typical characteristics of something
最理想的，最典型的
the novel is a prime example of the genre.
这部小说是该体裁最典型的例子。
■most suitable or likely
最合适的，最有可能的
it's the prime contender for dance single of the year.
这是本年度最佳独舞奖最有力的竞争者。
(Mathematics)(of a number) divisible only by itself and unity (e.g. 2, 3, 5, 7, 11)
(数)素（或质）数的（如2,3,5,7,11）
■[predic.](of two or more numbers in relation to each other) having no common factor but unity
互为素或质数的

noun

[in sing.]a state or time of greatest strength, vigour, or success in a person's life
青春；青年；壮年；全盛时期
you're in the prime of life.
你正值青春年华。
he wasn't elderly, but clearly past his prime.
他不算老，但显然已过壮年。
■(archaic)the beginning or first period of something
(古)起始，原初
the prime of the world.
人世之初。
(Christian Church)a service forming part of the Divine Office of the Western Church, traditionally said (or chanted) at the first hour of the day (i.e. 6 a.m.), but now little used
(基督教)晨经，晨祷（传统上于白天中的第一个小时即早晨六点所做的祈祷，现罕用）
■(archaic)this time of day
(古)黎明，日出后一个小时（即晨祷时间）
a prime number
质数，素数
(Printing)a symbol (') written after a letter or symbol as a distinguishing mark or after a figure as a symbol for minutes or feet
(印刷)上标符号（′）；（数字后）分钟（或英尺）符号
French
(Fencing)the first of eight parrying positions, used to protect the upper inside of the body, with the sword hand at head height in pronation and the tip of the blade pointing downwards
(剑)（八个防御姿势的）第一姿势
a special section in a cycle race, attracting a special prize
（自行车比赛中设特别奖的）特设行程
short for prime rate
prime rate 的简称

派生
primeness
noun
语源

Old English prīm (in sense 2 of the noun), from Latin prima (hora) 'first (hour'), reinforced in Middle English by Old French prime; the adjective dates from late Middle English, via Old French from Latin primus 'first'

prime²
verb
[with obj.]

make (something) ready for use or action, in particular
使准备好，使进入状态，尤指
■prepare (a firearm or explosive device) for firing or detonation
装填（枪支，爆炸装置）以开火（或引爆）
■cover (wood, canvas, or metal) with a preparatory coat of paint in order to prevent the absorption of subsequent layers of paint
在（木头，画布，金属）上涂底漆
■pour or spray liquid into (a pump) before starting in order to seal the moving parts and facilitate its operation
注液体入（泵）密闭活动机件以开动
■inject extra fuel into (the cylinder or carburettor of an internal-combustion engine) in order to facilitate starting
将更多燃料喷入（汽缸或内燃机化油器）以利启动
■[no obj.](of a steam engine or its boiler) mix water with the steam being passed into the cylinder
（蒸汽机或其锅炉）使水与压入汽缸的蒸汽混合
■(Biology & Medicine)induce a susceptibility or proclivity in (an animal, person, or tissue)
(生，医)使（动物，人，组织）产生易感性或癖性
artificial milk can prime the baby's body for future allergic reactions.
人造奶可能使婴儿身体有准备对付未来的过敏反应。
■(Biochemistry)serve as a starting material for (a polymerization process)
(生化)作（聚合作用过程的）引物
prepare (someone) for a situation or task, typically by supplying them with relevant information
（尤指通过提供相关信息）使（某人）为…作准备
[with obj. and infinitive]the sentries had been primed to admit him without challenge.
岗哨已经准备好直接让他通过。

常用词组
prime the pump

stimulate or support the growth or success of something by supplying it with money
（通过提供资金）刺激增长（或成功）
the money was intended to prime the community care pump.
这笔钱是打算用来启动社区保健护理的。

语源

early 16th cent. (in the sense 'fill, load'): origin uncertain; probably based on Latin primus 'first', since the sense expressed is a ‘first’ operation prior to something else

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