Dictionary

The first hour of daylight; the first canonical hour.

The religious service appointed to this hour.

The early morning generally.

The earliest stage of something.

First in importance, degree, or rank.

Example: Our prime concern here is to keep the community safe.

First in time, order, or sequence.

Example: Both the English and French governments established prime meridians in their capitals.

First in excellence, quality, or value.

Example: This is a prime location for a bookstore.

(lay) Having exactly two integral factors: itself and unity (1 in the case of integers).

Example: Thirteen is a prime number.

To prepare a mechanism for its main work.

Example: You'll have to press this button twice to prime the fuel pump.

To apply a coat of primer paint to.

Example: I need to prime these handrails before we can apply the finish coat.

To be renewed.

To serve as priming for the charge of a gun.

An intermediate sprint within a race, usually offering a prize and/or points.