*prim*

n. [ L. capris goat + mulgere to milk. ] a widely distributed natural family of nocturnally active birds including the whip-poor-will (Caprimulgus vociferus), the chuck-will's-widow (Caprimulgus carolinensis), and the common nighthawk (Chordeiles minor); -- called popularly the goatsuckers or nightjars. The nighthawks are sometimes active during the day.
Syn. -- goatsuckers, nightjars, family Caprimulgidae. [ PJC ]

The family . . . is alternately known as the nightjars (derived from the "churring" sounds of several species -- "jarring" the night air), or goatsuckers, a nonsense name that should be discontinued as it has its origin in the preposterous myth that the birds sucked the milk of nanny goats until they were dry. Terence Michael Short (Wild Birds of the Americas)

n. an order of birds including the goatsuckers (Caprimulgidae), frogmouths, and the oilbird (guacharo) (family Steatornithidae).
Syn. -- order Caprimulgiformes. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. the type genus of the Caprimulgidae, including the whip-poor-will (Caprimulgus vociferus) and the chuck-will's-widow (Caprimulgus carolinensis).
Syn. -- genus Caprimulgus. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

a. [ L. deprimens, p. pr. of deprimere. See Depress. ] Serving to depress. [ R. ] “Depriment muscles.” Derham. [ 1913 Webster ]

. (Political Science) A primary by which direct nominations of candidates for office are made. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

‖n. [ L., let it be printed. ] 1. (Law) A license to print or publish a book, paper, etc.; also, in countries subjected to the censorship of the press, approval of that which is published. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (R. C. Ch.) Permission granted from a designated eccliastical authority to publish a book or other document; -- required by church law for Catholics, especially ecclesiastics, who wish to publish. [ PJC ]

3. Hence: Official approval for some proposed activity; as, a contract this large needs the imprimatur of the legal department. [ PJC ]

n. [ F. imprimerie, fr. imprimer to imprint. ] [ Obs. ] (a) A print; impression. (b) A printing establishment. (c) The art of printing. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A beginning. [ Obs. ] “Their springings and imprimings.” Sir H. Wotton. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖adv. [ L., for in primis among the first, chiefly; in in + primus first. ] In the first place; first in order. [ 1913 Webster ]

pos>n. (Print.) A kind of type, in size between small pica and bourgeois. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ This line is printed in long primer. [ 1913 Webster ]

prop. n. (Zool.) The species name for the woolly mammoth, a very hairy mammoth common in colder portions of the Northern hemisphere.
Syn. -- woolly mammoth, northern mammoth. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ See Privet. ] (Bot) The privet. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ OF. prim, prin, prime, first, principal. sharp, thin, piercing, fr. L. primus first. See Prime, a. ] Formal; precise; affectedly neat or nice; as, prim regularity; a prim person. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Primmed p. pr. & vb. n. Primming. ] To deck with great nicety; to arrange with affected preciseness; to prink. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To dress or act smartly. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ LL. primatia, fr. L. primas, -atis, one of the first or principal, chief, fr. primus first: cf. F. primatie. See Prime, a. ] 1. The state or condition of being prime or first, as in time, place, rank, etc., hence, excellency; supremacy. [ R. ] De Quincey. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The office, rank, or character of a primate; the chief ecclesiastical station or dignity in a national church; the office or dignity of an archbishop; as, the primacy of England. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖ pl. E. Prima donnas It. Prime onne /plw>. [ It., fr. primo, prima, the first + donna lady, mistress. See Prime, a., and Donna. ] The first or chief female singer in an opera. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖ [ L., from abl. of primus first + abl. of facies appearance. ] At first view; on the first appearance. [ 1913 Webster ]

Prima facie evidence (of a fact) (Law), evidence which is sufficient to establish the fact unless rebutted. Bouvier. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. ] (Com.) A charge in addition to the freight; originally, a gratuity to the captain for his particular care of the goods (sometimes called hat money), but now belonging to the owners or freighters of the vessel, unless by special agreement the whole or part is assigned to the captain. Homans. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ LL. primalis, fr. L. primus the first. See Prime, a. ] First; primary; original; chief. [ 1913 Webster ]

It hath the primal eldest curse upon it. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

The primal duties shine aloft like stars. Wordsworth. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality or state of being primal. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a primary manner; in the first place; in the first place; in the first intention; originally. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality or state of being primary, or first in time, in act, or in intention. Norris. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. primarius, fr. primus first: cf. F. primaire. See Prime, a., and cf. Premier, Primero. ] 1. First in order of time or development or in intention; primitive; fundamental; original. [ 1913 Webster ]

The church of Christ, in its primary institution. Bp. Pearson. [ 1913 Webster ]

These I call original, or primary, qualities of body. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. First in order, as being preparatory to something higher; as, primary assemblies; primary schools. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. First in dignity or importance; chief; principal; as, primary planets; a matter of primary importance. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Geol.) Earliest formed; fundamental. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Chem.) Illustrating, possessing, or characterized by, some quality or property in the first degree; having undergone the first stage of substitution or replacement. [ 1913 Webster ]

Primary alcohol (Organic Chem.), any alcohol which possess the group CH2.OH, and can be oxidized so as to form a corresponding aldehyde and acid having the same number of carbon atoms; -- distinguished from secondary and tertiary alcohols. --
Primary amine (Chem.), an amine containing the amido group, or a derivative of ammonia in which only one atom of hydrogen has been replaced by a basic radical; -- distinguished from secondary and tertiary amines. --
Primary amputation (Surg.), an amputation for injury performed as soon as the shock due to the injury has passed away, and before symptoms of inflammation supervene. --
Primary axis (Bot.), the main stalk which bears a whole cluster of flowers. --
Primary colors. See under Color. --
Primary meeting, a meeting of citizens at which the first steps are taken towards the nomination of candidates, etc. See Caucus. --
Primary pinna (Bot.), one of those portions of a compound leaf or frond which branch off directly from the main rhachis or stem, whether simple or compounded. --
Primary planets. (Astron.) See the Note under Planet. --
Primary qualities of bodies, such are essential to and inseparable from them. --
Primary quills (Zool.), the largest feathers of the wing of a bird; primaries. --
Primary rocks (Geol.), a term early used for rocks supposed to have been first formed, being crystalline and containing no organic remains, as granite, gneiss, etc.; -- called also primitive rocks. The terms Secondary, Tertiary, and Quaternary rocks have also been used in like manner, but of these the last two only are now in use. --
Primary salt (Chem.), a salt derived from a polybasic acid in which only one acid hydrogen atom has been replaced by a base or basic radical. --
Primary syphilis (Med.), the initial stage of syphilis, including the period from the development of the original lesion or chancre to the first manifestation of symptoms indicative of general constitutional infection. --
Primary union (Surg.), union without suppuration; union by the first intention. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Primaries 1. That which stands first in order, rank, or importance; a chief matter. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A primary meeting; a caucus. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Zool.) One of the large feathers on the distal joint of a bird's wing. See Plumage, and Illust. of Bird. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Astron.) A primary planet; the brighter component of a double star. See under Planet. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. primat, F. primat, L. primas, -atis one of the first, chief, fr. primus the first. See Prime, a. ] 1. The chief ecclesiastic in a national church; one who presides over other bishops in a province; an archbishop. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Zool.) One of the Primates. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. pl. [ NL. ] (Zool.) The highest order of mammals. It includes man, together with the apes and monkeys. Cf. Pitheci. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The office, dignity, or position of a primate; primacy. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. primatial. ] Primatical. [ R. ] D'Anville (Trans. ). [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of or pertaining to a primate. Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The first part; the earliest stage; the beginning or opening, as of the day, the year, etc.; hence, the dawn; the spring. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

In the very prime of the world. Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

Hope waits upon the flowery prime. Waller. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The spring of life; youth; hence, full health, strength, or beauty; perfection. “Cut off in their prime.” Eustace. “The prime of youth.” Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. That which is first in quantity; the most excellent portion; the best part. [ 1913 Webster ]

Give him always of the prime. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. [ F. prime, LL. prima (sc. hora). See Prime, a. ] The morning; specifically (R. C. Ch.), the first canonical hour, succeeding to lauds. [ 1913 Webster ]

Early and late it rung, at evening and at prime. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Originally, prime denoted the first quarter of the artificial day, reckoned from 6 a. m. to 6 p. m. Afterwards, it denoted the end of the first quarter, that is, 9 a. m. Specifically, it denoted the first canonical hour, as now. Chaucer uses it in all these senses, and also in the sense of def. 1, above. [ 1913 Webster ]

They sleep till that it was pryme large. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Fencing) The first of the chief guards. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Chem.) Any number expressing the combining weight or equivalent of any particular element; -- so called because these numbers were respectively reduced to their lowest relative terms on the fixed standard of hydrogen as 1. [ Obs. or Archaic ] [ 1913 Webster ]

7. (Arith.) A prime number. See under Prime, a. [ 1913 Webster ]

8. An inch, as composed of twelve seconds in the duodecimal system; -- denoted by [ ′ ]. See 2d Inch, n., 1. [ 1913 Webster ]

Prime of the moon, the new moon at its first appearance. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ F., fr. L. primus first, a superl. corresponding to the compar. prior former. See Prior, a., Foremost, Former, and cf. Prim, a., Primary, Prince. ] 1. First in order of time; original; primeval; primitive; primary. “Prime forests.” Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

She was not the prime cause, but I myself. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In this sense the word is nearly superseded by primitive, except in the phrase prime cost. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. First in rank, degree, dignity, authority, or importance; as, prime minister. “Prime virtues.” Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. First in excellence; of highest quality; as, prime wheat; a prime quality of cloth. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Early; blooming; being in the first stage. [ Poetic ] [ 1913 Webster ]

His starry helm, unbuckled, showed him prime
In manhood where youth ended. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Lecherous; lustful; lewd. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. Marked or distinguished by a mark (′) called a prime mark.
In this dictionary the same typographic mark is used to indicate a weak accent in headwords, and minutes of a degree in angle measurements. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. (Math.) (a) Divisible by no number except itself or unity; as, 7 is a prime number. (b) Having no common factor; -- used with to; as, 12 is prime to 25. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

Prime and ultimate ratio. (Math.). See Ultimate. --
Prime conductor. (Elec.) See under Conductor. --
Prime factor (Arith.), a factor which is a prime number. --
Prime figure (Geom.), a figure which can not be divided into any other figure more simple than itself, as a triangle, a pyramid, etc. --
Prime meridian (Astron.), the meridian from which longitude is reckoned, as the meridian of Greenwich or Washington. --
Prime minister, the responsible head of a ministry or executive government; applied particularly to that of England. --
Prime mover. (Mech.) (a) A natural agency applied by man to the production of power. Especially: Muscular force; the weight and motion of fluids, as water and air; heat obtained by chemical combination, and applied to produce changes in the volume and pressure of steam, air, or other fluids; and electricity, obtained by chemical action, and applied to produce alternation of magnetic force. (b) An engine, or machine, the object of which is to receive and modify force and motion as supplied by some natural source, and apply them to drive other machines; as a water wheel, a water-pressure engine, a steam engine, a hot-air engine, etc. (c) Fig.: The original or the most effective force in any undertaking or work; as, Clarkson was the prime mover in English antislavery agitation. --
Prime number (Arith.), a number which is exactly divisible by no number except itself or unity, as 5, 7, 11. --
Prime vertical (Astron.), the vertical circle which passes through the east and west points of the horizon. --
Prime-vertical dial, a dial in which the shadow is projected on the plane of the prime vertical. --
Prime-vertical transit instrument, a transit instrument the telescope of which revolves in the plane of the prime vertical, -- used for observing the transit of stars over this circle. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Primed p. pr. & vb. n. Priming. ] [ From Prime, a. ] 1. To apply priming to, as a musket or a cannon; to apply a primer to, as a metallic cartridge. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To lay the first color, coating, or preparation upon (a surface), as in painting; as, to prime a canvas, a wall. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To prepare; to make ready; to instruct beforehand; to post; to coach; as, to prime a witness; the boys are primed for mischief. [ Colloq. ] Thackeray. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To trim or prune, as trees. [ Obs. or Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Math.) To mark with a prime mark. [ 1913 Webster ]

To prime a pump, to charge a pump with water, in order to put it in working condition. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To be renewed, or as at first. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Night's bashful empress, though she often wane,
As oft repeats her darkness, primes again. Quarles. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To serve as priming for the charge of a gun. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To work so that foaming occurs from too violent ebullition, which causes water to become mixed with, and be carried along with, the steam that is formed; -- said of a steam boiler. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. 1. At first; primarily. [ Obs. ] South. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. In a prime manner; excellently. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The quality or state of being first. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The quality or state of being prime, or excellent. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who, or that which, primes; specifically, an instrument or device for priming; esp., a cap, tube, or water containing percussion powder or other compound for igniting a charge of gunpowder. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ OF. primer, primier, premier, F. premier. See Premier. ] First; original; primary. [ Obs. ] “The primer English kings.” Drayton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Primer fine (O. Eng. Law), a fine due to the king on the writ or commencement of a suit by fine. Blackstone. --
Primer seizin (Feudal Law), the right of the king, when a tenant in capite died seized of a knight's fee, to receive of the heir, if of full age, one year's profits of the land if in possession, and half a year's profits if the land was in reversion expectant on an estate for life; -- now abolished. Blackstone. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Originally, the book read at prime, the first canonical hour. LL. primae liber. See Prime, n., 4. ] 1. Originally, a small prayer book for church service, containing the little office of the Virgin Mary; also, a work of elementary religious instruction. [ 1913 Webster ]

The primer, or office of the Blessed Virgin. Bp. Stillingfleet. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A small elementary book for teaching children to read; a reading or spelling book for a beginner. [ 1913 Webster ]

As he sat in the school at his prymer. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Print.) A kind of type, of which there are two species; one, called long primer, intermediate in size between bourgeois and small pica [ see Long primer ]; the other, called great primer, larger than pica. [ 1913 Webster ]

Great primer type. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Sp. primera, fr. primero first, from L. primarius. See Premier. ] A game at cards, now unknown. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Bot.) See Primrose. [ Obs. ] “She was a primerole.” Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. primaevus; primus first + aevum age. See Prime, a., and Age. ] Belonging to the first ages; pristine; original; primitive; primary; as, the primeval innocence of man. “This is the forest primeval.” Longfellow. [ 1913 Webster ]

From chaos, and primeval darkness, came Light. Keats. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a primeval manner; in or from the earliest times; originally. Darwin. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Primeval. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. First born, or first of all; original; primary. See Primogenial. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. [ L. primigenus, primigenius. See Primogeniture. ] First formed or generated; original; primigenial. Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. primus first: cf. F. primine. ] (Bot.) The outermost of the two integuments of an ovule. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ This word has been used by some writers to denote the inner integument, which is formed earlier than the outer. Cf. Secundine. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The powder or other combustible used to communicate fire to a charge of gunpowder, as in a firearm. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Paint.) The first coating of color, size, or the like, laid on canvas, or on a building, or other surface. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Steam Eng.) The carrying over of water, with the steam, from the boiler, as into the cylinder. [ 1913 Webster ]

Priming of the tide. See Lag of the tide, under 2d Lag. --
Priming tube, a small pipe, filled with a combustible composition for firing cannon. --
Priming valve (Steam Eng.), a spring safety valve applied to the cylinder of a steam engine for discharging water carried into the cylinder by priming. --
Priming wire, a pointed wire used to penetrate the vent of a piece, for piercing the cartridge before priming. [ 1913 Webster ]