Prime
/praɪm/noun
Of first rank, earliest in time, or in the best condition.
Did you know?The same ancient root behind *prime* also gave English *primacy*, *primary*, and *primeval*, all carrying the idea of what comes first in rank, time, or origin.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*per-
“To go forward, first, before”
Latin
Latin
prīmus
“First; foremost”
Old French
Old French
prime
“The first hour of the canonical day; first in order”
Middle English
English
prime
“The first or best part; the earliest stage”
Modern English
English
prime
“Of first rank, earliest in time, or in the best condition”