WordWeb Online

1. First in rank or degree
   "the prime minister";
   - premier
    
2. Used of the first or originating agent
   "prime mover"
    
3. Of superior grade
   "prime beef";
   - choice, prize, quality, select
    
4. Being at the best stage of development
   "our manhood's prime vigour";
   - meridian
    
5. (mathematics) of or relating to or being an integer that cannot be factored into other integers
   "prime number"

1. A natural number that has exactly two distinct natural number divisors: 1 and itself
   - prime quantity
    
2. The period of greatest prosperity or productivity
   - flower, peak, heyday, bloom, blossom, efflorescence, flush
    
3. The second canonical hour; about 6 a.m.
    
4. The time of maturity when power and vigour are greatest
   - prime of life

1. Insert a primer into (a gun, mine, or charge) preparatory to detonation or firing
   "prime a cannon"; "prime a mine"
    
2. Cover with a primer; apply a primer to
   - ground, undercoat
    
3. Fill with priming liquid
   "prime a car engine"

Derived forms: priming, primes, primed

See also: 1st, first, mature, superior

Type of: adulthood, canonical hour, fill, fill up, fix, gear up, maturity, number, paint, period, period of time, prepare, ready, set, set up, time period, time span

Encyclopedia: Prime, Ward, Sands, King & Company