prim1
[prim]
- formally precise or proper, as persons or behavior; stiffly neat.
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- to draw up the mouth in an affectedly nice or precise way.
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- to make prim, as in appearance.
- to draw (one's face, lips, etc.) into a prim expression.
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Origin of prim1
First recorded in 1675–85; origin uncertain
Synonyms
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1. flexible.
prim2
[prim]
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Origin of prim2
First recorded in 1565–75; shortening of earlier primprint privet < ?
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
tidyprimpeducatecombprimtendprimecoachdrillcurryrefreshsleektrainrefinecleanreadynurturepreendressbrushExamples from the Web for prims
Historical Examples
Now, there—you see how powerful the propaganda of the Prims can be?
Two Plus Two Makes CrazyWalt Sheldon
It was one of the pamphlets the Prims were always leaving around.
Two Plus Two Makes CrazyWalt Sheldon
It was midnight when the Prims and their guests arose from the table.
The Oakdale AffairEdgar Rice Burroughs
prim
- affectedly proper, precise, or formal
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- (tr) to make prim
- to purse (the mouth) primly or (of the mouth) to be so pursed
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Word Origin
C18: of unknown origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for prims
prim
1680s (v.) "to assume a formal, precise demeanor," perhaps from French prim "thin, small, delicate," from Old French prim "fine, delicate," from Latin primus "finest," literally "first" (see prime (adj.)). Later, "deck out, dress to effect" (1721). Attested as a noun from 1700. The adjective, the sole surviving sense, is from 1709. A cant word at first. Related: Primly; primness.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper