pristine - Definitions from Dictionary.com

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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

pris·tine

Audio Help [pris-teen, pri-steen; especially Brit. pris-tahyn] Pronunciation Key

–adjective

1.	having its original purity; uncorrupted or unsullied.

2.	of or pertaining to the earliest period or state; primitive.

[Origin: 1525–35; < L pristinus early; akin to primus prime

]

—Synonyms 1. undefiled, unpolluted, untouched.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
pristine

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

pris·tine Audio Help (prĭs'tēn', prĭ-stēn') Pronunciation Key
adj.

1. Remaining in a pure state; uncorrupted by civilization.
2. Remaining free from dirt or decay; clean: pristine mountain snow.
Of, relating to, or typical of the earliest time or condition; primitive or original.

[Latin prīstinus; see per¹ in Indo-European roots.]

pris·tine'ly adv.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
pristine

1534, "pertaining to the earliest period, primitive, ancient," from M.Fr. pristin (fem. pristine), from L. pristinus "former," from Old L. pri "before." Meaning "unspoiled, untouched, pure" is from 1899 (implied in pristinely) but still regarded as ignorant in some circles.

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

pristine
adjective
1.	completely free from dirt or contamination; "pristine mountain snow"
2.	immaculately clean and unused; "handed her his pristine white handkerchief"

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Pristine

Priest\, n. [OE. prest, preost, AS. pre['o]st, fr. L. presbyter, Gr. ? elder, older, n., an elder, compar. of ? an old man, the first syllable of which is probably akin to L. pristinus. Cf. Pristine, Presbyter.]

1. (Christian Church) A presbyter elder; a minister; specifically: (a) (R. C. Ch. & Gr. Ch.) One who is authorized to consecrate the host and to say Mass; but especially, one of the lowest order possessing this power. --Murdock. (b) (Ch. of Eng. & Prot. Epis. Ch.) A presbyter; one who belongs to the intermediate order between bishop and deacon. He is authorized to perform all ministerial services except those of ordination and confirmation.

2. One who officiates at the altar, or performs the rites of sacrifice; one who acts as a mediator between men and the divinity or the gods in any form of religion; as, Buddhist priests. "The priests of Dagon." --1 Sam. v. 5.

Then the priest of Jupiter . . . brought oxen and garlands . . . and would have done sacrifice with the people. --Acts xiv. 13.

Every priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. --Heb. v. 1.

Note: In the New Testament presbyters are not called priests; but Christ is designated as a priest, and as a high priest, and all Christians are designated priests.

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