Nearby Words
adjective
1.
formally precise or proper, as persons or behavior; stiffly neat.
verb (used without object)
2.
to draw up the mouth in an affectedly nice or precise way.
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Primness
is always a great word to know.
So is zedonk. Does it mean:
| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
verb (used with object)
3.
to make prim, as in appearance.
4.
to draw (one's face, lips, etc.) into a prim expression.
Origin:
1675–85; origin uncertain
1675–85; origin uncertain
Related forms
prim·ly, adverb
prim·ness, noun
un·primmed, adjective
Synonyms
1. prissy, formal, rigid.
1. prissy, formal, rigid.
Antonyms
1. flexible.
1. flexible.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To primness
Collins
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
prim
1684 (v.) "to assume a formal, precise demeanor," probably from Fr. prim "thin, small, delicate," from O.Fr. prim "fine, delicate," from L. primus "first, finest" (see prime). Attested as a noun from 1700. The adj., the sole surviving sense, is from 1709. A cant word at first;
EXPANDthe noun sense may be the original.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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