prime
adj[attrib 作定語]
1 most important; chief; fundamental 最重要的; 主要的; 基本的
Her prime motive was personal ambition. 她的主要?jiǎng)訖C(jī)是為了實(shí)現(xiàn)個(gè)人的志向.
Her prime concern is to protect the property. 她最為關(guān)心的是保護(hù)財(cái)產(chǎn).
It is a matter of prime importance. 此事至為重要.
The prime cause of the trouble was bad management. 造成麻煩的根本原因在於管理不善.
2 of the best quality; excellent 質(zhì)量最好的; 第一流的
prime (cuts of) beef 上等牛肉（塊）
a prime site for development 最適於發(fā)展的場(chǎng)地.
3 having all the expected or typical qualities 最理想的; 最典型的
That's a prime (ie very typical, excellent) example of what I was talking about. 這就是一個(gè)恰能印證我所談的內(nèi)容的極好的例子.
prime n [sing]
1
(a) state or time of greatest strength, beauty, vigour, etc 最強(qiáng)壯、 最美麗、 最具有活力等的狀態(tài)或時(shí)期
When is a man in his prime? 一個(gè)人的盛年在什麼時(shí)候?
She is past her prime. 她的大好時(shí)光已經(jīng)過去.
(b) state of highest perfection; the best part 最完美的狀態(tài); 最佳部分; 精華
be in the prime of life/youth 正當(dāng)年富力強(qiáng)[青春大好年華].
2 (rhet 修辭) first or earliest part 第一部分; 最早的部分
the prime of the year, ie spring 第一季度（春季）.
prime v [Tn, Tn.pr]
~ sth/sb (with sth)
1 make sth ready for use or action 將某物準(zhǔn)備好（以便投入使用或起動(dòng)）
prime a pump, ie put liquid in it to make it start working 給水泵注水使之起動(dòng)
prime an explosive device, ie set the trigger 使爆炸裝置準(zhǔn)備起爆（將引爆器置於待觸發(fā)狀態(tài)）.
2 prepare (wood, etc) for painting by covering it with a substance that prevents the paint from being absorbed 給（木料等）上底色（以便涂漆）.
3 supply sb with facts or information in advance, sometimes dishonestly, so that he can deal with a situation 事先向某人（有時(shí)指以不正當(dāng)手段）提供情況或訊息（供其采取對(duì)策）
The witness had been primed by a lawyer. 這證人曾經(jīng)受到律師的指點(diǎn).
The party representative had been well primed with the facts by party headquarters. 黨代表已經(jīng)掌握了總部提供的事實(shí).
The witness seemed to have been primed (ie instructed) about what to say. 這證人看來經(jīng)人指點(diǎn)過該說什麼不該說什麼.
4 (infml 口) give sb plenty of food and drink (in preparation for sth) 給某人充足飲食（以備從事某事）
We were well primed for the journey with a large breakfast. 為了去旅行, 我們?cè)绮投汲缘蔑栵柕?
5 (idm 習(xí)語) prime the `pump encourage the growth of a new or inactive business or industry by investing money in it 將資金投入新的或不景氣的公司或行業(yè)以刺激其發(fā)展.