1. A 首要的，主要的　most important; chief; fundamental
2. A 最好的，第一流的　of the very best quality or kind

　～ importance　头等重要
　～ minister　内阁总理，首相
　feel ～　很神气

　This is a matter of prime importance.　这是一个首要的问题。
　The foreign minister had an audience of the Prime Minister.　这位外交部长受到首相的接见。
　The broadcast went out on television at prime time, when everyone was watching.　这个电视节目在众人皆看的黄金时间播出。
　Love and hate are prime emotion.　爱与恨是基本情感。
　Spring is the prime time for planting.　春天是种植的最好时节。

S 全盛时期the state of time of sb's/sth's greatest perfection, strength or activity

　attain〔reach〕 the ～　达到全盛时期
　pass one's ～　过了全盛时期
　woman at her ～　风韵正佳的妇人
　in one's ～　正当壮年
　past one's ～　已过壮年
　～ of health　最健康的时期
　～ of life　壮年
　～ of the year　春天
　～ of youth　青春好时光，韶华

　She is still good-looking, but she's past her prime.　她美貌犹存，但青春已逝。
　He is at the prime of his career.　他正处于事业的巅峰。

1. vt.使准备好，使完成准备工作　make sth ready for use or action
2. vt.事先指导，事先向…提供情况　instruct in advance especially in how to ask or answer difficult question

　～ well　灌足
　～ fully　完全掌握
　～ sb for a life on stage　培养某人当演员
　～ a lamp with oil　把油注入灯内

　They have primed the explosive device.　他们已使爆炸装置准备起爆。
　The witness at the trial had been carefully primed by defence lawyers.　被告律师对出席审讯的证人事先作了仔细的指导。

 ♣ prime with　(v.+prep.)
　向…提供　provide sth for sb
　As a reporter, you must be well primed with facts before you start to write your article.　作为一名记者，在撰稿前先要拥有充足的事实。

　［同义词］ adj. capital, chief, elemental, first n. bloom, excellence, peak, pink v. breed, fit, groom, inform, raise
　［反义词］ adj. secondary
　［词源］拉丁语primarius（主要的，最初的）