Primate
/ˈpraɪ.mət/noun
A member of the order Primates, which includes humans, apes, monkeys, and prosimians.
Did you know?In ancient Rome, 'primate' referred not only to the highest-ranking clergy but also echoed the idea of being 'first' or 'foremost' in any hierarchy, linking power and supremacy with divine order.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*prīmo
“first, foremost”
Latin
Latin
primas
“first, chief, principal”
Late Latin
Late Latin
primas, primat-, primatus
“chief, leader, archbishop”
Old French
Old French
primat
“archbishop, spiritual leader”
Middle English
Middle English
primate
“highest ecclesiastical dignitary, chief bishop”
Modern English
English
primate
“member of the order of mammals including humans and monkeys, emphasizing a position of 'first' in evolution.”