n. [ OE. primat, F. primat, L. primas, -atis one of the first, chief, fr. primus the first. See Prime, a. ]
‖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 ]