Prime and ultimate ratio. (Math.). See Ultimate. -- Prime conductor.
(Elec.) See under Conductor. -- Prime factor (Arith.), a factor which
is a prime number. -- Prime figure (Geom.), a figure which can not be
divided into any other figure more simple than itself, as a triangle, a
pyramid, etc. -- Prime meridian (Astron.), the meridian from which
longitude is reckoned, as the meridian of Greenwich or Washington. --
Prime minister, the responsible head of a ministry or executive
government; applied particularly to that of England. -- Prime mover.
(Mech.) (a) A natural agency applied by man to the production of power.
Especially: Muscular force; the weight and motion of fluids, as water
and air; heat obtained by chemical combination, and applied to produce
changes in the volume and pressure of steam, air, or other fluids; and
electricity, obtained by chemical action, and applied to produce
alternation of magnetic force. (b) An engine, or machine, the object of
which is to receive and modify force and motion as supplied by some
natural source, and apply them to drive other machines; as a water
wheel, a water-pressure engine, a steam engine, a hot-air engine, etc.
(c) Fig.: The original or the most effective force in any undertaking
or work; as, Clarkson was the prime mover in English antislavery
agitation. -- Prime number (Arith.), a number which is exactly
divisible by no number except itself or unity, as 5, 7, 11. -- Prime
vertical (Astron.), the vertical circle which passes through the east
and west points of the horizon. -- Prime-vertical dial, a dial in which
the shadow is projected on the plane of the prime vertical. --
Prime-vertical transit instrument, a transit instrument the telescope
of which revolves in the plane of the prime vertical, -- used for
observing the transit of stars over this circle.
Prime (?), n. 1. The first part; the earliest stage; the beginning or
opening, as of the day, the year, etc.; hence, the dawn; the spring.
Chaucer.
In the very prime of the world.
Hooker.
Hope waits upon the flowery prime.
Waller.
2. The spring of life; youth; hence, full health, strength, or beauty;
perfection. "Cut off in their prime." Eustace. "The prime of youth."
Dryden.
3. That which is first in quantity; the most excellent portion; the
best part.
Give him always of the prime.
Swift.
4. [F. prime, LL. prima (sc. hora). See Prime, a.] The morning;
specifically (R. C. Ch.), the first canonical hour, succeeding to
lauds.
Early and late it rung, at evening and at prime.
Spenser.
Originally, prime denoted the first quarter of the artificial day,
reckoned from 6 a. m. to 6 p. m. Afterwards, it denoted the end of the
first quarter, that is, 9 a. m. Specifically, it denoted the first
canonical hour, as now. Chaucer uses it in all these senses, and also
in the sense of def. 1, above.
They sleep till that it was pryme large.
Chaucer.