(of a boiler) to deliver or discharge steam containing an excessive amount of water.
34.
to harvest the bottom leaves from a tobacco plant.
Origin: before 1000; 1910–15 for def. 5; (adj.) Middle English (< Old French prim) < Latin prīmusfirst (superlative corresponding to priorprior1); (noun) in part derivative of the adj.; in part continuing Middle English prim(e) first canonical hour, Old English prim < Latin prīma (hōra) first (hour); (v.) apparently derivative of the adj.
Related forms
prime·ness, noun
non·prime, adjective
re·prime, verb (used with object), -primed, -prim·ing.
Synonyms 1. primary. 7.Prime,primeval,primitive have reference to that which is first. Prime means first in numerical order or order of development: prime meridian; prime cause. Primeval means belonging to the first or earliest ages: the primeval forest. Primitive suggests the characteristics of the origins or early stages of a development, and hence implies the simplicity of original things: primitive tribes, conditions, ornaments, customs, tools.