"prim" meaning in English

See prim in All languages combined, or Wiktionary

Adjective

IPA: /pɹɪm/, [pʰɹ̠̊ɪm] Audio: LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-prim.wav Forms: primmer [comparative], primmest [superlative]
Rhymes: -ɪm Etymology: First attested as a verb prim ("to assume a formal, precise demeanor"), a cant word of uncertain origin. Probably not related to English prim (“an attractive, young woman, paramour”). Perhaps connected with Provençal prim (“delicate, excellent”), or from the related Middle French prim (“fine, of the first quality”), from Old French prim, prin, all from Latin primus (“first”). Etymology templates: {{root|en|ine-pro|*per-}}, {{unc|en|title=uncertain}} uncertain, {{ncog|en|prim|t=an attractive, young woman, paramour}} English prim (“an attractive, young woman, paramour”), {{der|en|oc-pro|prim|t=delicate, excellent}} Provençal prim (“delicate, excellent”), {{der|en|frm|prim|t=fine, of the first quality}} Middle French prim (“fine, of the first quality”), {{der|en|fro|prim}} Old French prim, {{lena}}, {{der|en|la|primus|t=first}} Latin primus (“first”) Head templates: {{en-adj|er}} prim (comparative primmer, superlative primmest)
  1. Prudish; straight-laced. Translations (prudish): превзет (prevzet) (Bulgarian), posturer [masculine] (Catalan), škrobený (Czech), upjatý (Czech), prudérní (Czech), preuts (Dutch), collet monté (French), guindé (French), prüde (German), ordentlich (German), pedantyczny (Polish), чо́порный (čópornyj) (Russian), mojigato [masculine] (Spanish), santurrón (Spanish), cartuchón (Spanish), prudentlig (Swedish), соромли́вий (soromlývyj) (Ukrainian)
    Sense id: en-prim-en-adj-6GkaoMo5 Categories (other): English entries with incorrect language header, Entries with translation boxes, Terms with Bulgarian translations, Terms with Catalan translations, Terms with Czech translations, Terms with Dutch translations, Terms with French translations, Terms with German translations, Terms with Polish translations, Terms with Russian translations, Terms with Spanish translations, Terms with Swedish translations, Terms with Ukrainian translations Disambiguation of English entries with incorrect language header: 39 28 23 8 3 Disambiguation of Entries with translation boxes: 74 10 8 8 Disambiguation of Terms with Bulgarian translations: 57 21 10 11 Disambiguation of Terms with Catalan translations: 60 17 11 12 Disambiguation of Terms with Czech translations: 63 17 10 10 Disambiguation of Terms with Dutch translations: 61 13 12 15 Disambiguation of Terms with French translations: 59 15 11 14 Disambiguation of Terms with German translations: 66 14 9 11 Disambiguation of Terms with Polish translations: 55 17 13 15 Disambiguation of Terms with Russian translations: 66 11 9 14 Disambiguation of Terms with Spanish translations: 65 13 10 12 Disambiguation of Terms with Swedish translations: 63 15 10 12 Disambiguation of Terms with Ukrainian translations: 60 17 11 11 Disambiguation of 'prudish': 100 0
  2. Formal; precise; affectedly neat or nice. Translations (precise, neat): upravený (Czech), úhledný (Czech)
    Sense id: en-prim-en-adj-daR~aw73 Categories (other): English terms with collocations Disambiguation of 'precise, neat': 3 97
The following are not (yet) sense-disambiguated
Derived forms: prim and proper, prissy
Etymology number: 1

Noun

IPA: /pɹɪm/, [pʰɹ̠̊ɪm] Audio: LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-prim.wav
Rhymes: -ɪm Etymology: Unknown; see privet. Head templates: {{en-noun|?}} prim
  1. (botany) privet
    Sense id: en-prim-en-noun-x45NRJBS Categories (other): Botany, Olive family plants Disambiguation of Olive family plants: 7 11 69 10 4 Topics: biology, botany, natural-sciences
The following are not (yet) sense-disambiguated
Etymology number: 2

Verb

IPA: /pɹɪm/, [pʰɹ̠̊ɪm] Audio: LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-prim.wav Forms: prims [present, singular, third-person], primming [participle, present], primmed [participle, past], primmed [past]
Rhymes: -ɪm Etymology: First attested as a verb prim ("to assume a formal, precise demeanor"), a cant word of uncertain origin. Probably not related to English prim (“an attractive, young woman, paramour”). Perhaps connected with Provençal prim (“delicate, excellent”), or from the related Middle French prim (“fine, of the first quality”), from Old French prim, prin, all from Latin primus (“first”). Etymology templates: {{root|en|ine-pro|*per-}}, {{unc|en|title=uncertain}} uncertain, {{ncog|en|prim|t=an attractive, young woman, paramour}} English prim (“an attractive, young woman, paramour”), {{der|en|oc-pro|prim|t=delicate, excellent}} Provençal prim (“delicate, excellent”), {{der|en|frm|prim|t=fine, of the first quality}} Middle French prim (“fine, of the first quality”), {{der|en|fro|prim}} Old French prim, {{lena}}, {{der|en|la|primus|t=first}} Latin primus (“first”) Head templates: {{en-verb}} prim (third-person singular simple present prims, present participle primming, simple past and past participle primmed)
  1. (dated) To make affectedly precise or proper. Tags: dated
    Sense id: en-prim-en-verb-yHeJpFti
  2. (dated) To dress or act smartly. Tags: dated
    Sense id: en-prim-en-verb-uM7VVB1g
The following are not (yet) sense-disambiguated
Related terms: primp
Etymology number: 1

Inflected forms

{
  "derived": [
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0",
      "word": "prim and proper"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0",
      "word": "prissy"
    }
  ],
  "etymology_number": 1,
  "etymology_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ine-pro",
        "3": "*per-"
      },
      "expansion": "",
      "name": "root"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "title": "uncertain"
      },
      "expansion": "uncertain",
      "name": "unc"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "prim",
        "t": "an attractive, young woman, paramour"
      },
      "expansion": "English prim (“an attractive, young woman, paramour”)",
      "name": "ncog"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "oc-pro",
        "3": "prim",
        "t": "delicate, excellent"
      },
      "expansion": "Provençal prim (“delicate, excellent”)",
      "name": "der"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "frm",
        "3": "prim",
        "t": "fine, of the first quality"
      },
      "expansion": "Middle French prim (“fine, of the first quality”)",
      "name": "der"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "fro",
        "3": "prim"
      },
      "expansion": "Old French prim",
      "name": "der"
    },
    {
      "args": {},
      "expansion": "",
      "name": "lena"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "la",
        "3": "primus",
        "t": "first"
      },
      "expansion": "Latin primus (“first”)",
      "name": "der"
    }
  ],
  "etymology_text": "First attested as a verb prim (\"to assume a formal, precise demeanor\"), a cant word of uncertain origin. Probably not related to English prim (“an attractive, young woman, paramour”). Perhaps connected with Provençal prim (“delicate, excellent”), or from the related Middle French prim (“fine, of the first quality”), from Old French prim, prin, all from Latin primus (“first”).",
  "forms": [
    {
      "form": "primmer",
      "tags": [
        "comparative"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "primmest",
      "tags": [
        "superlative"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "head_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "er"
      },
      "expansion": "prim (comparative primmer, superlative primmest)",
      "name": "en-adj"
    }
  ],
  "lang": "English",
  "lang_code": "en",
  "pos": "adj",
  "senses": [
    {
      "categories": [
        {
          "_dis": "39 28 23 8 3",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English entries with incorrect language header",
          "parents": [],
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        {
          "_dis": "60 17 11 12",
          "kind": "other",
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        },
        {
          "_dis": "63 17 10 10",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "Terms with Czech translations",
          "parents": [],
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        },
        {
          "_dis": "61 13 12 15",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "Terms with Dutch translations",
          "parents": [],
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        },
        {
          "_dis": "59 15 11 14",
          "kind": "other",
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        {
          "_dis": "66 14 9 11",
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        },
        {
          "_dis": "55 17 13 15",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "Terms with Polish translations",
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        },
        {
          "_dis": "66 11 9 14",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "Terms with Russian translations",
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        },
        {
          "_dis": "65 13 10 12",
          "kind": "other",
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        {
          "_dis": "63 15 10 12",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "Terms with Swedish translations",
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        },
        {
          "_dis": "60 17 11 11",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "Terms with Ukrainian translations",
          "parents": [],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        }
      ],
      "examples": [
        {
          "bold_text_offsets": [
            [
              126,
              130
            ]
          ],
          "ref": "1986, John le Carré, A Perfect Spy:",
          "text": "God damn it, what does she want of me, this sad, beautiful bridgeplayer of the Fifth Floor, with her air of lost love and her prim carnality?",
          "type": "quote"
        },
        {
          "bold_text_offsets": [
            [
              47,
              51
            ]
          ],
          "ref": "2024 October 24, Judith Shulevitz, “Michel Houellebecq Has Some Fresh Predictions. Be Afraid.”, in The Atlantic:",
          "text": "And although Paul shares an apartment with his prim wife, aptly named Prudence, they rarely see or speak to each other.",
          "type": "quote"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "Prudish; straight-laced."
      ],
      "id": "en-prim-en-adj-6GkaoMo5",
      "links": [
        [
          "Prudish",
          "prudish#English"
        ],
        [
          "straight-laced",
          "straight-laced"
        ]
      ],
      "translations": [
        {
          "_dis1": "100 0",
          "code": "bg",
          "lang": "Bulgarian",
          "roman": "prevzet",
          "sense": "prudish",
          "word": "превзет"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "100 0",
          "code": "ca",
          "lang": "Catalan",
          "sense": "prudish",
          "tags": [
            "masculine"
          ],
          "word": "posturer"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "100 0",
          "code": "cs",
          "lang": "Czech",
          "sense": "prudish",
          "word": "škrobený"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "100 0",
          "code": "cs",
          "lang": "Czech",
          "sense": "prudish",
          "word": "upjatý"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "100 0",
          "code": "cs",
          "lang": "Czech",
          "sense": "prudish",
          "word": "prudérní"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "100 0",
          "code": "nl",
          "lang": "Dutch",
          "sense": "prudish",
          "word": "preuts"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "100 0",
          "code": "fr",
          "lang": "French",
          "sense": "prudish",
          "word": "collet monté"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "100 0",
          "code": "fr",
          "lang": "French",
          "sense": "prudish",
          "word": "guindé"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "100 0",
          "code": "de",
          "lang": "German",
          "sense": "prudish",
          "word": "prüde"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "100 0",
          "code": "de",
          "lang": "German",
          "sense": "prudish",
          "word": "ordentlich"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "100 0",
          "code": "pl",
          "lang": "Polish",
          "sense": "prudish",
          "word": "pedantyczny"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "100 0",
          "code": "ru",
          "lang": "Russian",
          "roman": "čópornyj",
          "sense": "prudish",
          "word": "чо́порный"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "100 0",
          "code": "es",
          "lang": "Spanish",
          "sense": "prudish",
          "tags": [
            "masculine"
          ],
          "word": "mojigato"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "100 0",
          "code": "es",
          "lang": "Spanish",
          "sense": "prudish",
          "word": "santurrón"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "100 0",
          "code": "es",
          "lang": "Spanish",
          "sense": "prudish",
          "word": "cartuchón"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "100 0",
          "code": "sv",
          "lang": "Swedish",
          "sense": "prudish",
          "word": "prudentlig"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "100 0",
          "code": "uk",
          "lang": "Ukrainian",
          "roman": "soromlývyj",
          "sense": "prudish",
          "word": "соромли́вий"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "categories": [
        {
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English terms with collocations",
          "parents": [],
          "source": "w"
        }
      ],
      "examples": [
        {
          "bold_text_offsets": [
            [
              0,
              4
            ]
          ],
          "text": "prim regularity",
          "type": "example"
        },
        {
          "bold_text_offsets": [
            [
              94,
              98
            ]
          ],
          "ref": "1708, [Jonathan Swift], “The Metamorphosis of Baucis and Philemon, Burlesqu’d; from the 8th Book of Ovid”, in Baucis and Philemon; a Poem. […], London: […] H. Hills, […], published 1709, →OCLC, page 8:",
          "text": "Philemon was in great Surprize,⁠\nAnd hardly could believe his Eyes,\nAmaz’d to ſee her look ſo prim;\nAnd ſhe admir’d as much at him.",
          "type": "quote"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "Formal; precise; affectedly neat or nice."
      ],
      "id": "en-prim-en-adj-daR~aw73",
      "links": [
        [
          "Formal",
          "formal"
        ],
        [
          "precise",
          "precise"
        ]
      ],
      "translations": [
        {
          "_dis1": "3 97",
          "code": "cs",
          "lang": "Czech",
          "sense": "precise, neat",
          "word": "upravený"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "3 97",
          "code": "cs",
          "lang": "Czech",
          "sense": "precise, neat",
          "word": "úhledný"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "sounds": [
    {
      "ipa": "/pɹɪm/"
    },
    {
      "ipa": "[pʰɹ̠̊ɪm]"
    },
    {
      "audio": "LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-prim.wav",
      "mp3_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/1/1e/LL-Q1860_%28eng%29-Vealhurl-prim.wav/LL-Q1860_%28eng%29-Vealhurl-prim.wav.mp3",
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    },
    {
      "rhymes": "-ɪm"
    }
  ],
  "word": "prim"
}

{
  "etymology_number": 1,
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      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ine-pro",
        "3": "*per-"
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      "expansion": "",
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    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
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    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "prim",
        "t": "an attractive, young woman, paramour"
      },
      "expansion": "English prim (“an attractive, young woman, paramour”)",
      "name": "ncog"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "oc-pro",
        "3": "prim",
        "t": "delicate, excellent"
      },
      "expansion": "Provençal prim (“delicate, excellent”)",
      "name": "der"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "frm",
        "3": "prim",
        "t": "fine, of the first quality"
      },
      "expansion": "Middle French prim (“fine, of the first quality”)",
      "name": "der"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "fro",
        "3": "prim"
      },
      "expansion": "Old French prim",
      "name": "der"
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      "args": {},
      "expansion": "",
      "name": "lena"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "la",
        "3": "primus",
        "t": "first"
      },
      "expansion": "Latin primus (“first”)",
      "name": "der"
    }
  ],
  "etymology_text": "First attested as a verb prim (\"to assume a formal, precise demeanor\"), a cant word of uncertain origin. Probably not related to English prim (“an attractive, young woman, paramour”). Perhaps connected with Provençal prim (“delicate, excellent”), or from the related Middle French prim (“fine, of the first quality”), from Old French prim, prin, all from Latin primus (“first”).",
  "forms": [
    {
      "form": "prims",
      "tags": [
        "present",
        "singular",
        "third-person"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "primming",
      "tags": [
        "participle",
        "present"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "primmed",
      "tags": [
        "participle",
        "past"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "primmed",
      "tags": [
        "past"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "head_templates": [
    {
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      "expansion": "prim (third-person singular simple present prims, present participle primming, simple past and past participle primmed)",
      "name": "en-verb"
    }
  ],
  "lang": "English",
  "lang_code": "en",
  "pos": "verb",
  "related": [
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0",
      "word": "primp"
    }
  ],
  "senses": [
    {
      "categories": [],
      "glosses": [
        "To make affectedly precise or proper."
      ],
      "id": "en-prim-en-verb-yHeJpFti",
      "links": [
        [
          "precise",
          "precise"
        ],
        [
          "proper",
          "proper"
        ]
      ],
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(dated) To make affectedly precise or proper."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "dated"
      ]
    },
    {
      "categories": [],
      "glosses": [
        "To dress or act smartly."
      ],
      "id": "en-prim-en-verb-uM7VVB1g",
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(dated) To dress or act smartly."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "dated"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "sounds": [
    {
      "ipa": "/pɹɪm/"
    },
    {
      "ipa": "[pʰɹ̠̊ɪm]"
    },
    {
      "audio": "LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-prim.wav",
      "mp3_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/1/1e/LL-Q1860_%28eng%29-Vealhurl-prim.wav/LL-Q1860_%28eng%29-Vealhurl-prim.wav.mp3",
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    },
    {
      "rhymes": "-ɪm"
    }
  ],
  "word": "prim"
}

{
  "etymology_number": 2,
  "etymology_text": "Unknown; see privet.",
  "head_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "?"
      },
      "expansion": "prim",
      "name": "en-noun"
    }
  ],
  "lang": "English",
  "lang_code": "en",
  "pos": "noun",
  "senses": [
    {
      "categories": [
        {
          "kind": "other",
          "langcode": "en",
          "name": "Botany",
          "orig": "en:Botany",
          "parents": [],
          "source": "w"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "7 11 69 10 4",
          "kind": "other",
          "langcode": "en",
          "name": "Olive family plants",
          "orig": "en:Olive family plants",
          "parents": [],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "privet"
      ],
      "id": "en-prim-en-noun-x45NRJBS",
      "links": [
        [
          "botany",
          "botany"
        ],
        [
          "privet",
          "privet"
        ]
      ],
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(botany) privet"
      ],
      "topics": [
        "biology",
        "botany",
        "natural-sciences"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "sounds": [
    {
      "ipa": "/pɹɪm/"
    },
    {
      "ipa": "[pʰɹ̠̊ɪm]"
    },
    {
      "audio": "LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-prim.wav",
      "mp3_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/1/1e/LL-Q1860_%28eng%29-Vealhurl-prim.wav/LL-Q1860_%28eng%29-Vealhurl-prim.wav.mp3",
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    },
    {
      "rhymes": "-ɪm"
    }
  ],
  "word": "prim"
}
{
  "categories": [
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    "English entries with incorrect language header",
    "English lemmas",
    "English nouns",
    "English nouns with unknown or uncertain plurals",
    "English terms derived from Latin",
    "English terms derived from Middle French",
    "English terms derived from Old French",
    "English terms derived from Proto-Indo-European",
    "English terms derived from Provençal",
    "English terms derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *per-",
    "English terms with unknown etymologies",
    "English verbs",
    "Entries with translation boxes",
    "Pages with 8 entries",
    "Pages with entries",
    "Requests for attention in Latin etymologies",
    "Rhymes:English/ɪm",
    "Rhymes:English/ɪm/1 syllable",
    "Terms with Bulgarian translations",
    "Terms with Catalan translations",
    "Terms with Czech translations",
    "Terms with Dutch translations",
    "Terms with French translations",
    "Terms with German translations",
    "Terms with Polish translations",
    "Terms with Russian translations",
    "Terms with Spanish translations",
    "Terms with Swedish translations",
    "Terms with Ukrainian translations",
    "en:Olive family plants"
  ],
  "derived": [
    {
      "word": "prim and proper"
    },
    {
      "word": "prissy"
    }
  ],
  "etymology_number": 1,
  "etymology_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ine-pro",
        "3": "*per-"
      },
      "expansion": "",
      "name": "root"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "title": "uncertain"
      },
      "expansion": "uncertain",
      "name": "unc"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "prim",
        "t": "an attractive, young woman, paramour"
      },
      "expansion": "English prim (“an attractive, young woman, paramour”)",
      "name": "ncog"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "oc-pro",
        "3": "prim",
        "t": "delicate, excellent"
      },
      "expansion": "Provençal prim (“delicate, excellent”)",
      "name": "der"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "frm",
        "3": "prim",
        "t": "fine, of the first quality"
      },
      "expansion": "Middle French prim (“fine, of the first quality”)",
      "name": "der"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "fro",
        "3": "prim"
      },
      "expansion": "Old French prim",
      "name": "der"
    },
    {
      "args": {},
      "expansion": "",
      "name": "lena"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "la",
        "3": "primus",
        "t": "first"
      },
      "expansion": "Latin primus (“first”)",
      "name": "der"
    }
  ],
  "etymology_text": "First attested as a verb prim (\"to assume a formal, precise demeanor\"), a cant word of uncertain origin. Probably not related to English prim (“an attractive, young woman, paramour”). Perhaps connected with Provençal prim (“delicate, excellent”), or from the related Middle French prim (“fine, of the first quality”), from Old French prim, prin, all from Latin primus (“first”).",
  "forms": [
    {
      "form": "primmer",
      "tags": [
        "comparative"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "primmest",
      "tags": [
        "superlative"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "head_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "er"
      },
      "expansion": "prim (comparative primmer, superlative primmest)",
      "name": "en-adj"
    }
  ],
  "lang": "English",
  "lang_code": "en",
  "pos": "adj",
  "senses": [
    {
      "categories": [
        "English terms with quotations"
      ],
      "examples": [
        {
          "bold_text_offsets": [
            [
              126,
              130
            ]
          ],
          "ref": "1986, John le Carré, A Perfect Spy:",
          "text": "God damn it, what does she want of me, this sad, beautiful bridgeplayer of the Fifth Floor, with her air of lost love and her prim carnality?",
          "type": "quote"
        },
        {
          "bold_text_offsets": [
            [
              47,
              51
            ]
          ],
          "ref": "2024 October 24, Judith Shulevitz, “Michel Houellebecq Has Some Fresh Predictions. Be Afraid.”, in The Atlantic:",
          "text": "And although Paul shares an apartment with his prim wife, aptly named Prudence, they rarely see or speak to each other.",
          "type": "quote"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "Prudish; straight-laced."
      ],
      "links": [
        [
          "Prudish",
          "prudish#English"
        ],
        [
          "straight-laced",
          "straight-laced"
        ]
      ]
    },
    {
      "categories": [
        "English terms with collocations",
        "English terms with quotations"
      ],
      "examples": [
        {
          "bold_text_offsets": [
            [
              0,
              4
            ]
          ],
          "text": "prim regularity",
          "type": "example"
        },
        {
          "bold_text_offsets": [
            [
              94,
              98
            ]
          ],
          "ref": "1708, [Jonathan Swift], “The Metamorphosis of Baucis and Philemon, Burlesqu’d; from the 8th Book of Ovid”, in Baucis and Philemon; a Poem. […], London: […] H. Hills, […], published 1709, →OCLC, page 8:",
          "text": "Philemon was in great Surprize,⁠\nAnd hardly could believe his Eyes,\nAmaz’d to ſee her look ſo prim;\nAnd ſhe admir’d as much at him.",
          "type": "quote"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "Formal; precise; affectedly neat or nice."
      ],
      "links": [
        [
          "Formal",
          "formal"
        ],
        [
          "precise",
          "precise"
        ]
      ]
    }
  ],
  "sounds": [
    {
      "ipa": "/pɹɪm/"
    },
    {
      "ipa": "[pʰɹ̠̊ɪm]"
    },
    {
      "audio": "LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-prim.wav",
      "mp3_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/1/1e/LL-Q1860_%28eng%29-Vealhurl-prim.wav/LL-Q1860_%28eng%29-Vealhurl-prim.wav.mp3",
      "ogg_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/1/1e/LL-Q1860_%28eng%29-Vealhurl-prim.wav/LL-Q1860_%28eng%29-Vealhurl-prim.wav.ogg"
    },
    {
      "rhymes": "-ɪm"
    }
  ],
  "translations": [
    {
      "code": "bg",
      "lang": "Bulgarian",
      "roman": "prevzet",
      "sense": "prudish",
      "word": "превзет"
    },
    {
      "code": "ca",
      "lang": "Catalan",
      "sense": "prudish",
      "tags": [
        "masculine"
      ],
      "word": "posturer"
    },
    {
      "code": "cs",
      "lang": "Czech",
      "sense": "prudish",
      "word": "škrobený"
    },
    {
      "code": "cs",
      "lang": "Czech",
      "sense": "prudish",
      "word": "upjatý"
    },
    {
      "code": "cs",
      "lang": "Czech",
      "sense": "prudish",
      "word": "prudérní"
    },
    {
      "code": "nl",
      "lang": "Dutch",
      "sense": "prudish",
      "word": "preuts"
    },
    {
      "code": "fr",
      "lang": "French",
      "sense": "prudish",
      "word": "collet monté"
    },
    {
      "code": "fr",
      "lang": "French",
      "sense": "prudish",
      "word": "guindé"
    },
    {
      "code": "de",
      "lang": "German",
      "sense": "prudish",
      "word": "prüde"
    },
    {
      "code": "de",
      "lang": "German",
      "sense": "prudish",
      "word": "ordentlich"
    },
    {
      "code": "pl",
      "lang": "Polish",
      "sense": "prudish",
      "word": "pedantyczny"
    },
    {
      "code": "ru",
      "lang": "Russian",
      "roman": "čópornyj",
      "sense": "prudish",
      "word": "чо́порный"
    },
    {
      "code": "es",
      "lang": "Spanish",
      "sense": "prudish",
      "tags": [
        "masculine"
      ],
      "word": "mojigato"
    },
    {
      "code": "es",
      "lang": "Spanish",
      "sense": "prudish",
      "word": "santurrón"
    },
    {
      "code": "es",
      "lang": "Spanish",
      "sense": "prudish",
      "word": "cartuchón"
    },
    {
      "code": "sv",
      "lang": "Swedish",
      "sense": "prudish",
      "word": "prudentlig"
    },
    {
      "code": "uk",
      "lang": "Ukrainian",
      "roman": "soromlývyj",
      "sense": "prudish",
      "word": "соромли́вий"
    },
    {
      "code": "cs",
      "lang": "Czech",
      "sense": "precise, neat",
      "word": "upravený"
    },
    {
      "code": "cs",
      "lang": "Czech",
      "sense": "precise, neat",
      "word": "úhledný"
    }
  ],
  "word": "prim"
}

{
  "categories": [
    "English adjectives",
    "English entries with incorrect language header",
    "English lemmas",
    "English nouns",
    "English nouns with unknown or uncertain plurals",
    "English terms derived from Latin",
    "English terms derived from Middle French",
    "English terms derived from Old French",
    "English terms derived from Proto-Indo-European",
    "English terms derived from Provençal",
    "English terms derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *per-",
    "English terms with unknown etymologies",
    "English verbs",
    "Entries with translation boxes",
    "Pages with 8 entries",
    "Pages with entries",
    "Requests for attention in Latin etymologies",
    "Rhymes:English/ɪm",
    "Rhymes:English/ɪm/1 syllable",
    "Terms with Bulgarian translations",
    "Terms with Catalan translations",
    "Terms with Czech translations",
    "Terms with Dutch translations",
    "Terms with French translations",
    "Terms with German translations",
    "Terms with Polish translations",
    "Terms with Russian translations",
    "Terms with Spanish translations",
    "Terms with Swedish translations",
    "Terms with Ukrainian translations",
    "en:Olive family plants"
  ],
  "etymology_number": 1,
  "etymology_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ine-pro",
        "3": "*per-"
      },
      "expansion": "",
      "name": "root"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "title": "uncertain"
      },
      "expansion": "uncertain",
      "name": "unc"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "prim",
        "t": "an attractive, young woman, paramour"
      },
      "expansion": "English prim (“an attractive, young woman, paramour”)",
      "name": "ncog"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "oc-pro",
        "3": "prim",
        "t": "delicate, excellent"
      },
      "expansion": "Provençal prim (“delicate, excellent”)",
      "name": "der"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "frm",
        "3": "prim",
        "t": "fine, of the first quality"
      },
      "expansion": "Middle French prim (“fine, of the first quality”)",
      "name": "der"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "fro",
        "3": "prim"
      },
      "expansion": "Old French prim",
      "name": "der"
    },
    {
      "args": {},
      "expansion": "",
      "name": "lena"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "la",
        "3": "primus",
        "t": "first"
      },
      "expansion": "Latin primus (“first”)",
      "name": "der"
    }
  ],
  "etymology_text": "First attested as a verb prim (\"to assume a formal, precise demeanor\"), a cant word of uncertain origin. Probably not related to English prim (“an attractive, young woman, paramour”). Perhaps connected with Provençal prim (“delicate, excellent”), or from the related Middle French prim (“fine, of the first quality”), from Old French prim, prin, all from Latin primus (“first”).",
  "forms": [
    {
      "form": "prims",
      "tags": [
        "present",
        "singular",
        "third-person"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "primming",
      "tags": [
        "participle",
        "present"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "primmed",
      "tags": [
        "participle",
        "past"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "primmed",
      "tags": [
        "past"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "head_templates": [
    {
      "args": {},
      "expansion": "prim (third-person singular simple present prims, present participle primming, simple past and past participle primmed)",
      "name": "en-verb"
    }
  ],
  "lang": "English",
  "lang_code": "en",
  "pos": "verb",
  "related": [
    {
      "word": "primp"
    }
  ],
  "senses": [
    {
      "categories": [
        "English dated terms"
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "To make affectedly precise or proper."
      ],
      "links": [
        [
          "precise",
          "precise"
        ],
        [
          "proper",
          "proper"
        ]
      ],
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(dated) To make affectedly precise or proper."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "dated"
      ]
    },
    {
      "categories": [
        "English dated terms"
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "To dress or act smartly."
      ],
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(dated) To dress or act smartly."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "dated"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "sounds": [
    {
      "ipa": "/pɹɪm/"
    },
    {
      "ipa": "[pʰɹ̠̊ɪm]"
    },
    {
      "audio": "LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-prim.wav",
      "mp3_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/1/1e/LL-Q1860_%28eng%29-Vealhurl-prim.wav/LL-Q1860_%28eng%29-Vealhurl-prim.wav.mp3",
      "ogg_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/1/1e/LL-Q1860_%28eng%29-Vealhurl-prim.wav/LL-Q1860_%28eng%29-Vealhurl-prim.wav.ogg"
    },
    {
      "rhymes": "-ɪm"
    }
  ],
  "word": "prim"
}

{
  "categories": [
    "English entries with incorrect language header",
    "English lemmas",
    "English nouns",
    "English nouns with unknown or uncertain plurals",
    "Pages with 8 entries",
    "Pages with entries",
    "Rhymes:English/ɪm",
    "Rhymes:English/ɪm/1 syllable",
    "en:Olive family plants"
  ],
  "etymology_number": 2,
  "etymology_text": "Unknown; see privet.",
  "head_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "?"
      },
      "expansion": "prim",
      "name": "en-noun"
    }
  ],
  "lang": "English",
  "lang_code": "en",
  "pos": "noun",
  "senses": [
    {
      "categories": [
        "en:Botany"
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "privet"
      ],
      "links": [
        [
          "botany",
          "botany"
        ],
        [
          "privet",
          "privet"
        ]
      ],
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(botany) privet"
      ],
      "topics": [
        "biology",
        "botany",
        "natural-sciences"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "sounds": [
    {
      "ipa": "/pɹɪm/"
    },
    {
      "ipa": "[pʰɹ̠̊ɪm]"
    },
    {
      "audio": "LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-prim.wav",
      "mp3_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/1/1e/LL-Q1860_%28eng%29-Vealhurl-prim.wav/LL-Q1860_%28eng%29-Vealhurl-prim.wav.mp3",
      "ogg_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/1/1e/LL-Q1860_%28eng%29-Vealhurl-prim.wav/LL-Q1860_%28eng%29-Vealhurl-prim.wav.ogg"
    },
    {
      "rhymes": "-ɪm"
    }
  ],
  "word": "prim"
}

Download raw JSONL data for prim meaning in English (11.1kB)


This page is a part of the kaikki.org machine-readable English dictionary. This dictionary is based on structured data extracted on 2025-06-05 from the enwiktionary dump dated 2025-06-01 using wiktextract (5ee713e and f1c2b61). The data shown on this site has been post-processed and various details (e.g., extra categories) removed, some information disambiguated, and additional data merged from other sources. See the raw data download page for the unprocessed wiktextract data.

If you use this data in academic research, please cite Tatu Ylonen: Wiktextract: Wiktionary as Machine-Readable Structured Data, Proceedings of the 13th Conference on Language Resources and Evaluation (LREC), pp. 1317-1325, Marseille, 20-25 June 2022. Linking to the relevant page(s) under https://kaikki.org would also be greatly appreciated.