| 释义 |
adjective | noun primaryprimary1 /ˈpraɪˌmɛri, -məri/ ●●○ W3 AWL adjective [usually before noun] ETYMOLOGYprimary1Origin: 1400-1500 Latin primarius, from primus first ► primary source of Fishing is their primary source of income. ► of primary importance Personal safety is of primary importance. THESAURUSbigger or more important than all other things, ideas, influences, etc. of the same kind► mainbigger or more important than all other things, ideas, influences, etc. of the same kind: We met at the main entrance of the building. Scout is the main character in the book. ► major very large, serious, or important: Democrats and Republicans are the two major political parties in the U.S. When the stock market crashed, many businesses had major losses. ► chief/principal chief and principal mean the same as main, but are more formal and are often used in written English: Saudi Arabia’s chief export is oil. The president said that budget concerns were his principal reason for making the decision. ► key very important and needed for success: The woman is a key witness in the trial, because she is the only one who saw the crime happen. ► primary most important or most basic. You use primary especially about the goal, role, cause, or concern that is most important: As always, the children’s safety is our primary concern. ► leading most important or most successful: Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer. Donahue is the basketball team’s leading scorer. ► prime most important or most likely: The organization’s prime objective is to raise money for homeless people. ► core most important, basic, and necessary: The company must decide on its core values, and communicate them to employees. ► central most important and having more influence than anything else: A central theme in the book is the role of women in his life. ► predominant most common, most noticeable, or most important: Anna was a little angry and confused, but her predominant feeling was surprise. 1most important or most basic: Their primary objective is to make money. Low attendance was the primary reason for canceling the shows. Fishing is their primary source of income. Personal safety is of primary importance.► see thesaurus at main12[only before noun] relating to the education of children between five and 11 years old SYN elementary: primary students primary education3formal existing or developing before other things: a primary infection [Origin: 1400–1500 Latin primarius, from primus first] → secondary adjective | noun primaryprimary2 ●●○ W3 AWL noun (plural primaries) [countable] 1social studies, politics an election in the U.S. in which people vote to decide who a political party’s candidate will be for a particular position → see also blanket primary, closed primary, direct primary, open primary, presidential primary, runoff primary2a primary color |