prime 
And will she yet debase her eyes on me, 
That cropp'd the golden prime of this sweet prince? 
Shak., Elch. IIlT, I. 2. 248. 
Ceres in her prime, 
Yet virgin of Proserpina from Jove. 
Milton, f. L., Ix. 395. 
The thyme it is wlther'd, and the rue Is In prime. 
Farmer's Old W\fe (Child's Ballads, VIII. 257). 
It was in the golden mime 
Of good 1 1 in < .11 1 1 Alraschid. 
Tennyson, Arabian Night*. 
Past my prime of life, and out of health. 
Browninff, Ring and itook, I. 202. 
4. The best part; that which is best in qual- 
ity ; that which is of prime or high quality or 
grade, as fish, oysters, etc. ; often, m the plural, 
a prime grade or quality. 
Give no more to ev'ry guest 
Than he 's ahle to digest : 
Give him always of the prime, 
A nd but little at a time. 
Swift, Verses on a Lady. 
5. In fencing : (a) The first of eight parries 
or guards against thrusts in sword-play, after- 
ward retained in exercise with the foils; the 
first guard a swordsman surprised by an at- 
tack could make, while drawing his weapon 
from the scabbard near his left thigh, it waa 
followed by parries in seconde, tierce, quarte, up to octave 
according as thrusts followed at the openings in the de- 
fense made by such guards. In prime guard the point 
remains low, the band higher than the eyes, as In draw- 
ing the sword, and the knuckles are upward. It is the 
ordinary position of the Uennan student "on guard," 
when fencing with the schliiger. Hence (6) Some- 
times, the first and simplest thrust (and parry) 
which can be made after two fencers have 
crossed foils and are "on guard" with the left 
sides of their foils touching: used thus for the 
direct thrust. This is by some writers called mod- 
ern prime, while the true prime is called ancirnt or old 
prime. In both old and motlern prime the word prime is 
used to indicate the thrust as well as ttie puny or guard ; 
but this comes from suppression of "in": thus, prime 
thrust, for thrust in prime. Prime, seconde, etc., repre- 
sent numbered sections of an ideal chart covering such 
parts of a swordsman's trunk as are visible to his oppo- 
nent, each of which sections Is supposed to l>e guarded by 
the parry thus numbered. Hence the meaning of a " thrust 
In prime," etc. 
6. In diem., a number employed, in conformity 
with the doctrine of definite proportions, to ex- 
press the ratios in which bodies enter into com- 
bination. Primes duly arranged In a table constitute 
a scale of chemical equivalents. They also express the 
ratios of atomic weights. 
7. A prime number; an integer number not 
divisible without remainder by any number ex- 
cept itself and unity. St. () The game of 
pninero. 
To check at chesse, to heave at maw, ... or set their 
rest at prime. 0. Turbercille, On Hawking. (Fares.) 
(ft) A term used in the playing of this game. 
0. In music: (a) A tone on the same degree of 
the scale or staff with a given tone. (l>) The 
interval between any tone and a tone on tho 
same degree with it. (<) The simultaneous 
combination of two tones on the same degree, 
(rf) In a scale, the first tone ; the tonic or key- 
note. The typical interval of the prime Is the unison, 
acoustically represented by the ratio 1:1; such a prime 
is called perfect or major. A prime in which one tone Is 
a half-step alx>ve the other is called autjmented or super- 
fluous. The perfect prime is the most perfect of all con- 
sonances so perfect, indeed, that in its ideal form It is 
better described as a unison than as a consonance. In 
harmony, the parallel motion of two voices in perfect 
primes Is forbidden, except when a strictly melodic effect 
is desired : such primes are called consecutive. Compare 
consecutive fifth and consecutive octave, under consecutive. 
10. One of the fractions into which a unit is 
immediately divided; a minute, it is generally 
A, but sometimes A. Hence, an accent as the symbol of 
such a fraction : thus b', in algebra, is read "b prime." 
11. The footsteps of a deer. Halliicell High 
primet. probably the close of prime that is, 9 A. M. 
fee def. 2(c). 
Att hue prinne Peers let the plouh Blonde, 
And ouer-suyh hem hym-self ho so best wrouhte. 
Piers Plowman (C), ix. 119. 
Then to Westmynster gate I presently went, 
Wht'n the sonn was at hytthe prymc. 
Lydgate, London Lfckpeny (MS. Harl., 367). 
Ideal prime, an ideal number that is prime. See ideal. 
Primary prime, a complex prime number of the form 
a b 1 such that if of the two coefficients one is odd 
while the other is even then the number is congruent 
to unity on the modulus 2(1 - i) (this definition includes 
1 * as a primary prime, but some authors consider this 
as not of the class, because it is not a primary number) ; 
more generally, a complex prime number which is at the 
same time a primary number. - Prime of the moon, the 
new moon when it first appears after the change. 
prime (prim), r. ; pret. and pp. primed, ppr. 
pritiiiiifi. [< pritin . <i.~\ I. inlrnns. It. To be 
as at first; be renewed. 
Night's bashful empress, though she often wane, 
As oft repents her darkness, primes again. 
4725 
2. To insert a primer or priming-powder into 
the vent of a gun before firing. 3. In the 
steam-engine, to carry over hot water with the 
steam from the boiler into the cylinder: as, 
the engine jrrimes. See primage, 2. 
II. trans. 1. To perform the prime or first 
operation upon or with ; prepare. Specifically 
(a) To put into a condition for being fired ; supply with 
powder for communicating fire to a charge : saiofof a gun 
mine, etc. 
We new primed all our Guns, and provided ourselves 
for an Enemy. Dumpier, Voyages, L 18. 
Now, ere you sleep, 
See that your polish 'd arms be prim'd with care. 
Cmcper, Task, iv. 567. 
(b) To cover with a ground or first color or coat In paint- 
ing or plastering. 
One of their faces has not the priming colour laid on 
11. Jonsan, Eptcume, II. 4. 
(e) To put In a fit state to act or endure ; make ready ; es- 
pecially, to instruct or prepare (a person) beforehand in 
what he is to say or do; "post": as, to prime a person 
with a speech ; to prime a witness. 
Being always primed with politosse 
For men of their appearance and address. 
Cuteper, Progress of Error, 1. XU7. 
2. To trim or prune. [Obsolete or provincial.] 
Showers, halls, snows, frosts, and two-edg'd winds that 
prime 
The maiden blossoms ; I provoke you all. 
And dare expose this body to your sharpness. 
tteau. and Fl., Coxcomb, iv. 2. 
He has true fervor and dramatic Insight, and all he 
needs Is to prime down extravagances and modify excesses 
in voice and expression. The American, VII. 360. 
Center-primed cartridge. See center-fire cartriilye, an- 
ACT cartridge. TO prime a match. See match*. To 
prime a pump, t" pour water down the tube of a pump, 
with the view of saturating the sucker, in order to cause 
It to swell, and thus act effectively In bringing up water. 
primed (primd), p.o. 1. Intoxicated. [Slang.] 
2. Spotted from disease, llaliiicell. """ 
Eng.] 
primely (prira'li), adr. It. At first; original- 
ly ; primarily ; in tho first place, degree, or rank. 
The creed hath in it all articles . . . primely and uni- 
versally necessary. Jer. Taylor, Works (ed. 1835), II. 3(J7. 
Samson, being chief magistrate of the children of Israel, 
might destroy the Philistines, who were their enemies; 
and this was tho thing primely, nay solely, intended by 
him, and not the taking away his own life. 
South, Sermons, V. vlll. 
primetime 
It was no mere political feeling . . . that retained In 
the /'rimer down to the Reformation the pray en of the 
. VI.) who had perished for the sins of his 
fathers and of the nation. Stubbi, Const. Hist,, f 341. 
Another prayer to her Is not only in the manual, but 
In the primer or office of the bleated Virgin. Stillinyjteet. 
Great primer, a printing-type, l points in sin (see 
pointi, n., 14). Long primer, a aiie of prinUng-type 
about 7) lines to the Inch, intermediate Iwtween small 
pica (larger) and bourgeois (smaller). It is known at 10 
point lu the new system of sues. 
This is Long Primer type. 
Two-line great primer, a size of printing-type about 
2!, lines to the foot, equal to 30 points lu the new system 
"i -!.- - 
(pri'mer), M. [(prime, r., + -*r'.] 1. 
One who or that which primes, specifically (a) A 
tulw, cap, wafer, or other device, containing a compound 
which may be exploded by percussion, friction, or other 
means, used for tiring a charge of powder, (b) A utensil, 
formerly in use, for containing a small fixed amount of 
Primer and Key for Wheel-lock. 
a, barrel of primer ; *, spring Mnpper ; r, key fitted to the eml of the 
pivot of the axle of the wheel isce **//. The primer i& fitted 
to the key to increase the leverage of the latter. 
powder, and Introducing It Into the pan of a gnn : some- 
times combined with tin- spanner or key of the wheel lock, 
as in the Illustration. 
2t. A small powder-horn containing fine pow- 
der used for priming. Friction-primer. Same as 
/rietion-tube. 
[Prov. primero (pri-me'ro), w. [< >Sp. primero, first: 
nee primer 1 .] An old game of cards, it it not 
known precisely how the game was played. Each player 
seems to have held four cards ; a flush wns the best hand, 
and a prime, or one In which all four cards were of differ- 
ent suits, the next best. 
I ... left him at primero 
With UM Duke of Suffolk. 
AVin*., Hen. VIII., r. 1. 7. 
Primero Is reckoned among the most ancient game* of 
cards known to have been played in England. 
Strut!, Sports and Pastimes, p. 4S3. 
2. In a prime manner or degree; especially; primerolet, . [ME., also primerotle, prymc. 
also, excellently: as, venison primely cooked. rolle; < OF. primerole, primrose, also privet; a 
primeness 
of being prime or first ; supreme excellence. 
primer 1 (as adj., pri'mor; as n., prim'er), a. 
and w. [Formerly also primmer; < ME. primer, 
)>ryicr, n., < OF. primer, primier, premier, F. 
premier = Sp. primero = Pg. primeiro = It. 
primiero, first (of. later F. primaire = Sp. Pg. 
It. primario, first, elementary), < L. primarius, 
of tne first, primary: see primary. Cf. premier, 
doublet of primer 1 ."] I.t . First; original; pri- 
mary. 
God had not depriv'd that primer season 
The sacred Inmp and light of learned Reason. 
Syltesler, tr. of Du Bartaa's Weeks, II., Eden. 
As when the primer church her councils pleas'd to call, 
Great Britain s bishops there were not the least of all. 
Draylon, Polyolblon, vili. 337. 
He who from lusts vile bondage would be freed. 
Its primer flames to suffocate must heed. 
History of Joseph, 1691. (HallimU. ) 
Primer fine, in old Kny. fair, a payment to the crown 
(usually computed ut one tenth of the annual value of the 
land) exacted from a plaintiff who commenced a suit for 
the recovery of lands known as A fine. 
tie flower of spring'; fern, of L. primuhts, dim. 
of primus, first: see prime. Cf. primrose.] A 
primrose. 
The honysoncle, the frolsshc prymerollys, 
Ther levys splaye at Phehus iin-rysyng. 
Lyfiffatc't Testament. 
She was a primernle, a plggesnye. 
Chaucer, Miller's Tale, 1. 82. 
primer-poach (pri'mer- pouch), w. JtiUt., & 
leathern case for carrying primers, which forms 
a part of an artillery equipment. 
primer-seizin (pri'mer-se'zin), n. Formerly, in 
English law, the payment due to the crown 
from a tenant who held in capite, if the heir 
succeeded by descent when of full age. such a 
payment was one year's profits of the land If In possession, 
and half a year's profits if in reversion. It was abolished 
by 12 Car. II. 
On the transmission of lay property In land, by the op- 
eration of the doctrine of wills and uses, the king lost his 
reliefs and primer seisins. 
Stubbi, Medieval and Modern Hist, p. 280. 
ne. See line), n., S. . _ . 
II. . A first book; a small elementary book prime-Staff (prim staf), n. Same as cloy-alma- 
of instruction. 
This lltel child his lltel book lerninge, primett (prim et), n. [Appar. < prim prime 1 , 
AshesatlnthescoleathlsrmrT + ' e ' Cf. primpnnt, primrose, pnret.] 1. The 
Chaucer, Prioress's Tale, 1. 72. primrose. 2. The privet. 
The New England Primer, which for a century and a primetempst, . [ME., < OF. prim temps, F. 
half was In these part* the first book in religion and printemps, spring, <L.primum, neut. of priamx, 
morals, as well as in learning and in literature. ft,.,* + trtniin* timo 1 Knriiii 
S. <i<f ., 7th >cr., IX. 84. "* * temp<tg, time.J hpring. 
Pryme tempi fulle of frostes white, 
And May devoid of al delltc. 
Horn, of the Rote, I. 4747. 
The New-England Primer, Improved for the more easy 
attaining the true reading of English. 
Sew Kngland Primer (ed. 1777X Title. 
Specifically (cedes.), in England, both before and after the Prjmetidet (prim'tid), n. [ME.] 1. The time 
Reformation, a book of private devotions, especially one Of prime, 
authorized by the church and partially or wholly in the 
vernacular, containing devotions for the hours, theCraed, 
the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments, certain psalms, 
instruction as to elements of Christian knowledge, etc. 
Primers are extant dating from the fourteenth century 
297 
KniMfiii*. Hi. 1. 
and earlier. A reformed primer was set forth unil'-r llrnn 
VIII. in 1545, and continued in use with alterations till 
1575. A new series of primers began In 1553, and unau- 
thorized primers were also often issued. Books of devo- 
tion closely resembling the old primers in contents and 
character are extensively used among Anglicans at the 
present day. 
Horn . . . cam to the kinge 
At his uprislnge ; . . . 
Rijt at prime Ode 
111 gunnen ut ride. 
King Born (E. E. T. S.\ 1. 848. 
2. Spring, 
primetimet 
IH-IIHI Hill . L'. 
Certalnely yf you had been taken as the flonre for the 
herbe, If you had ben cut greene fro the tree, yf you had 
ben grafted In primetime. Oolden Book, xL 
Tm'Hm> i r\IV 1 
* " 
