| 释义 |
‖ primus, a. and n.|ˈpraɪməs|
[L. prīmus first: see prime a.]
A. adj. First (in time, age, order, or importance); original, earliest; chief, principal.
1. In Latin phrases, as primus inter pares, first among equals; also fem. prima inter pares; primus motor, prime mover, the original source of motion or action; † primus secundus (lit. ‘first second’), some game.
1813J. Adams Let. to Jefferson 12 Nov., Mr. Dickinson was *primus inter pares, the bellwether, the leader of the aristocratical flock. 1887Athenæum 16 Apr. 507/1 The sovereign, relatively, was but primus inter pares, closely connected by origin and intermarriage with a turbulent feudal nobility. 1909Webster, Prima inter pares. 1919M. Beer Hist. Brit. Socialism I. ii. v. 162 He could be their self-sacrificing father and teacher, their authoritative adviser and leader, but never the primus inter pares. 1961Times 12 Oct. 18/1 But this is a ballet in which Dame Margot is but prima inter pares. 1973Times 20 Oct. 13/5 Herr Schneiderhan did not attempt to stand out as a virtuoso but attacked his solos as primus inter pares, playing with and to his accompanying strings. 1979Guardian 5 May 21/3 Mrs Thatcher..becomes..primus inter pares in that quaint and English system known as Cabinet Government.
c1592Marlowe Jew of Malta i. ii. Wks. (Rtldg.) 150/1 The plagues of Egypt, and the curse of heaven..Inflict upon them, thou great *Primus Motor! 1617J. Chamberlain in Crt. & Times Jas. I (1848) II. 9 Now the primus motor of this feasting, Mr. Comptroller, is taking his leave of this town. a1670Hacket Abp. Williams ii. (1693) 11 You have said somewhat..concerning the last Parliament, somewhat of the Primus motor, and Divine Intelligence which enliv'd the same.
1584R. Scot Discov. Witchcr. xi. x. (1886) 159 It [lottery] is a childish and ridiculous toie, and like unto childrens plaie at *Primus secundus, or the game called The philosophers table.
2. In some boys' schools, appended to the surname to distinguish the eldest (or the one who has been longest in the school) of those having the same surname. Cf. major a. 7 c.
1796T. Robbins Diary (1886) I. 6 My classmate Romeyn primus, was, I hear, quite unwell. 1826Disraeli Viv. Grey i. iii, ‘Mammy-sick’, growled Barlow primus.
B. n.
1. In the Scottish Episcopal Church: The presiding bishop, who is chosen by the other bishops, and has certain ceremonial privileges, but no metropolitan authority. Hence ˈprimus-ship, the position or dignity of the primus.
1860J. Gardner Faiths World II. 830/2 Scottish Episcopal Church... One of the bishops is elected primus or chief bishop during pleasure, there having been no archbishops in Scotland since the Revolution. 1899J. Wordsworth Episcopate C. Wordsw. v. 178, I wrote to the Primus, Bishop Gleig. Ibid. 156 The second [year] was the beginning of the reign of King George III, and of the Primus-ship of Bishop William Falconar.
2. Also Primus. The proprietary name of a make of pressure stove or lamp, usu. burning paraffin; loosely, any pressure stove. Freq. attrib.
1904Outing Mar. 698/1 At last we found and packed with rucksacks, small kerosene cans, Primus stove, etc. 1904Railway Mag. XIV. 45/1 A 3/4 in. scale locomotive is more expensive to construct, and needs a ‘Primus’ burner. 1907Athenæum 12 Oct. 436/2 Robinson with great efforts made the ‘Primus’ work, and then burnt the stew with it. 1910Trade Marks Jrnl. 22 June 989 Primus... Stoves. Aktiebolaget B. A. Hjorth & Co..., Stockholm, Sweden; manufacturers. 1910Official Gaz. (U.S. Patent Office) 5 July 246/2 Aktiebolaget B. A. Hjorth & Co., Stockholm... Primus. 1933E. A. Robertson Ordinary Families iii. 53 It was asking too much of anyone's stomach to expect primus cookery. 1944M. Laski Love on Supertax i. 11 Have you ever tried..to light a primus stove?.. The methylated spirits flare up... You must frantically pump paraffin through to the burner. 1951G. Millar White Boat from England ii. 16 We had several gadgets for the primus, including a pyramidal toaster. 1973J. Stranger Walk Lonely Road xiv. 108 Coffee, thick and strong and sweet, brewed over a Primus. 1974O. Manning Rain Forest iii. i. 254 Simon folded back the flaps of a large, square tent... A primus lamp hung from the roof. |