Middle English; earliest use found in Genesis and Exodus. From Anglo-Norman primicies, Anglo-Norman and Old French, Middle French primices, Middle French, French †premices, French prémices first-fruits, firstborn, (fig.) beginnings, first enjoyment (e.g. of love), virginity from classical Latin prīmitiae, prīmiciae; in French forms with initial pre- apparently influenced by Old French, Middle French premisse and its etymon post-classical Latin praemissa.