1 prime /ˈpraɪm/ adjective Learner's definition of PRIME
always used before a noun
1
: most important : primary最重要的;最主要的 -
our prime responsibility我们最主要的职责
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The wine industry is of prime importance to the California economy.葡萄酒行业对加州经济具有最重要的作用。
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The police have not yet named the prime suspect in the murder investigation.警方在这起谋杀案的调查中尚未确定主要嫌疑犯。
2
: of the highest quality or value : excellent优质的;最好的;上乘的 3
—
used to say that someone or something is a very good example of a particular kind of person or thing典型的 -
The melting of ice caps is a prime example of the effects of global warming.冰盖融化是全球变暖影响的一个典型例证。
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Orson Welles is a prime example of the movie director as artist.奥逊·威尔斯是典型的电影导演艺术大师。
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a prime specimen of a racehorse赛马的典型样本
4
: most likely or very likely to be chosen for something, to experience something, etc.最可能的;很可能的;首选的 -
The mayor has become a prime target for criticism.市长已成为最可能的抨击目标。
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Her father was unhealthy and looked like a prime candidate for a heart attack. [=he looked like someone who was likely to have a heart attack]她父亲健康状况不佳,看起来很有可能会心脏病发作。
2 prime /ˈpraɪm/ noun
Learner's definition of PRIME
1
[singular] : the period in life when a person is best in health, strength, etc. : the most active or successful time of a person's life盛年;全盛时期;黄金时期 -
young college graduates in the prime of life年富力强的大学毕业生
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She just retired, but she's still in her prime. [=still active and in good health]她刚刚退休了,但依然精力旺盛。
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He was a great pitcher once, but he's past his prime. [=is no longer as good as he was when he was younger]他曾是个优秀的投手,但他的巅峰时期已经过去了。
3 prime /ˈpraɪm/ verb
primes; primed; priming
primes; primed; priming
Learner's definition of PRIME
[+ object]
1
: to make (someone) ready to do something : prepare使(某人)做好准备 2
: to make (something) ready for use把(某事物)准备好;使备用 3
: to cover (a surface) with special paint in order to prepare it for the final layer of paint给(表面)涂上底色
prime the pump
: to do something that will help a thing to grow or develop促进;刺激;支持