Chapter 1208

Pri"mal (?) , a. [LL. primalis , fr. L. primus the first. See Prime , a. ] First; primary; original; chief.

It hath the primal eldest curse upon it. Shak.

The primal duties shine aloft like stars. Wordsworth.

Primality <Xpage=1137>

Pri*mal"i*ty (?) , n. The quality or state of being primal. [Obs.]

Primarily <Xpage=1137>

Pri"ma*ri*ly (?) , adv. In a primary manner; in the first place; in the first place; in the first intention; originally.

Primariness <Xpage=1137>

Pri"ma*ri*ness , n. The quality or state of being primary, or first in time, in act, or in intention.

Norris.

Primary <Xpage=1137>

Pri"ma*ry (?) , 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.

The church of Christ, in its primary institution. Bp. Pearson.

These I call original, or primary , qualities of body. Locke.

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

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

4. (Geol.) Earliest formed; fundamental.

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

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 , an amine containing the amido group, or a derivative of ammonia in which only one atom of hydrogen has been replaced by a basic radical; -- distinguished from secondary &and; tertiary amines .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 (Zo\'94l.) , 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.

Primary <Xpage=1137>

Pri"ma*ry , n. ; pl. Primaries (<?/) . 1. That which stands first in order, rank, or importance; a chief matter.

2. A primary meeting; a caucus.

3. (Zo\'94l.) One of the large feathers on the distal joint of a bird's wing. See Plumage , and Illust . of Bird .

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

Primate <Xpage=1137>

Pri"mate (?) , 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.

2. (Zo\'94l.) One of the Primates.

Primates <Xpage=1137>

Pri*ma"tes (?) , n. pl. [NL.] (Zo\'94l.) The highest order of mammals. It includes man, together with the apes and monkeys. Cf. Pitheci .

Primateship <Xpage=1137>

Pri"mate*ship (?) , n. The office, dignity, or position of a primate; primacy.

Primatial <Xpage=1137>

Pri*ma"tial (?) , a. [Cf. F. primatial .] Primatical. [R.]

D'Anville (Trans. ).

Primatical <Xpage=1137>

Pri*mat"ic*al (?) , a. Of or pertaining to a primate.

Barrow.

Prime <Xpage=1137>

Prime (?) , 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.

She was not the prime cause, but I myself. Milton.

&hand; In this sense the word is nearly superseded by primitive , except in the phrase prime cost .

2. First in rank, degree, dignity, authority, or importance; as, prime minister . " Prime virtues."

Dryden.

3. First in excellence; of highest quality; as, prime wheat; a prime quality of cloth.

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

His starry helm, unbuckled, showed him prime In manhood where youth ended. Milton.

5. Lecherous; lustful; lewd. [Obs.]

Shak.

6. Marked or distinguished by a mark (\'b7) called a prime mark . <-- same mark used for weak accent, and minutes of a degree -->

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.

Prime <Xpage=1137>

Prime (?) , 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.

In the very prime of the world. Hooker.

Hope waits upon the flowery prime . Waller.

2. The spring of life; youth; hence, full health, strength, or beauty; perfection. "Cut off in their prime ." Eustace . "The prime of youth."

Dryden.

3. That which is first in quantity; the most excellent portion; the best part.

Give him always of the prime . Swift.

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

Early and late it rung, at evening and at prime . Spenser.

&hand; 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. a. 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.

They sleep till that it was pryme large. Chaucer.

5. (Fencing) The first of the chief guards.

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]

7. (Arith.) A prime number. See under Prime , a.

8. An inch, as composed of twelve seconds in the duodecimal system; -- denoted by [\'b7]. See 2d Inch , n. , 1.

Prime of the moon , the new moon at its first appearance.

Prime <Xpage=1137>

Prime , 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.

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

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.

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

5. (Math.) To mark with a prime mark.

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

Prime <Xpage=1137>

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

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

2. To serve as priming for the charge of a gun.

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.

Primely <Xpage=1137>

Prime"ly , adv. 1. At first; primarily. [Obs.]

South.

2. In a prime manner; excellently.

Primeness <Xpage=1137>

Prime"ness , n. 1. The quality or state of being first.

2. The quality or state of being prime, or excellent.

Primer <Xpage=1137>

Prim"er (?) , 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 capable for igniting a charge of gunpowder.

Primer <Xpage=1137>

Prim"er , a. [OF. primer , primier , premier , F. premier . See Premier .] First; original; primary. [Obs.] "The primer English kings."

Drayton.

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.

Primer <Xpage=1137>

Prim"er (?) , 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.

The primer , or office of the Blessed Virgin. Bp. Stillingfleet.

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

As he sat in the school at his prymer . Chaucer.

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.

Great primer type.

Primero <Xpage=1137>

Pri*me"ro (?) , n. [Sp. primera , fr. primero first, from L. primarius . See Premier .] A game at cards, now unknown.

Shak.

Primerole <Xpage=1137>

Prim"er*ole (?) , n. (Bot.) See Primrose . [Obs.] "She was a primerole ."

Chaucer.

Primeval <Xpage=1137>

Pri*me"val (?) , 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.

From chaos, and primeval darkness, came Light. Keats.

Primevally <Xpage=1137>

Pri*me"val*ly , adv. In a primeval manner; in or from the earliest times; originally.

Darwin.

Primevous <Xpage=1137>

Pri*me"vous , a. Primeval. [Obs.]

<page="1138"> Page 1138

Primigenial <Xpage=1138>

Pri`mi*ge"ni*al (?) , a. First born, or first of all; original; primary. See Primogenial .

Primigenious, Primigenous <Xpage=1138>

Pri`mi*ge"ni*ous (?) , Pri*mig"e*nous (?) , a. [L. primigenus , primigenius . See Primogeniture .] First formed or generated; original; primigenial.

Bp. Hall.

Primine <Xpage=1138>

Pri"mine (?) , n. [L. primus first: cf. F. primine .] (Bot.) The outermost of the two integuments of an ovule.

&hand; This word has been used by some writers to denote the inner integument, which is formed earlier than the outer. Cf. Secundine .

Priming <Xpage=1138>

Prim"ing (?) , n. 1. The powder or other combustible used to communicate fire to a charge of gunpowder, as in a firearm.

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

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

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.

Primipara <Xpage=1138>

Pri*mip"a*ra (?) , n. [L., fr. primus first + parere to bring forth.] (Med.) A woman who bears a child for the first time.

Primiparous <Xpage=1138>

Pri*mip"a*rous (?) , a. [See Primipara .] Belonging to a first birth; bearing young for the first time.

Primipilar <Xpage=1138>

Pri*mip"i*lar (?) , a. [L. primipilaris , fr. primipilus the centurion of the first cohort of a Roman legion, fr. primus pilus the division made up of the triarii in the Roman army.] Of or pertaining to the captain of the vanguard of a Roman army.

Barrow.

Primitia <Xpage=1138>

Pri*mi"ti*a (?) , n. ; pl. Primiti\'91 (#) ( Primitias (#) , obs . ). [L. primitiae , pl., fr. primus first. Cf. Premices .] (Eng. Law) The first fruit; the first year's whole profit of an ecclesiastical preferment.

The primitias of your parsonage. Spenser.

Primitial <Xpage=1138>

Pri*mi"tial (?) , a. Being of the first production; primitive; original. [Obs.]

Ainsworth.

Primitive <Xpage=1138>

Prim"i*tive (?) , a. [L. primitivus , fr. primus the first: cf. F. primitif . See Prime , a. ] 1. Of or pertaining to the beginning or origin, or to early times; original; primordial; primeval; first; as, primitive innocence; the primitive church. "Our primitive great sire."

Milton.

2. Of or pertaining to a former time; old-fashioned; characterized by simplicity; as, a primitive style of dress .

3. Original; primary; radical; not derived; as, primitive verb in grammar .

Primitive axes of co\'94rdinate (Geom.) , that system of axes to which the points of a magnitude are first referred, with reference to a second set or system, to which they are afterward referred. -- Primitive chord (Mus.) , that chord, the lowest note of which is of the same literal denomination as the fundamental base of the harmony; -- opposed to derivative . Moore (Encyc. of Music) . -- Primitive circle (Spherical Projection) , the circle cut from the sphere to be projected, by the primitive plane. -- Primitive colors (Paint.) , primary colors. See under Color . -- Primitive Fathers (Eccl.) , the acknowledged Christian writers who flourished before the Council of Nice, A. D. 325. Shipley . -- Primitive groove (Anat.) , a depression or groove in the epiblast of the primitive streak. It is not connected with the medullary groove, which appears later and in front of it. -- Primitive plane (Spherical Projection) , the plane upon which the projections are made, generally coinciding with some principal circle of the sphere, as the equator or a meridian. -- Primitive rocks (Geol.) , primary rocks. See under Primary . -- Primitive sheath . (Anat.) See Neurilemma . -- Primitive streak &or; trace (Anat.) , an opaque and thickened band where the mesoblast first appears in the vertebrate blastoderm.

Syn. -- First; original; radical; pristine; ancient; primeval; antiquated; old-fashioned.

Primitive <Xpage=1138>

Prim"i*tive , n. An original or primary word; a word not derived from another; -- opposed to derivative .

Primitively <Xpage=1138>

Prim"i*tive*ly , adv. 1. Originally; at first.

2. Primarily; not derivatively.