primus

¹ American  

[prahy-muhs] / ˈpraɪ məs /

noun

(often initial capital letter)

plural

primuses

1. Scottish Episcopal Church. a bishop who is elected to represent the church body and to summon and preside at synods but who possesses no metropolitan power.

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primus ² American  

[prahy-muhs] / ˈpraɪ məs /

adjective

1. (in prescriptions) first.

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Primus ³ American  

[pree-muhs] / ˈpri məs /

noun

1. Pearl, 1919–1994, U.S. dancer, born in Trinidad.

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Primus ¹ British  

/ ˈpraɪməs /

noun

1. Also called: Primus stove.  a portable paraffin cooking stove, used esp by campers

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primus ² British  

/ ˈpraɪməs /

noun

1. Scottish Episcopal Church the presiding bishop in the Synod

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Etymology

Origin of primus¹

1855–60; < Medieval Latin prīmus, noun use of Latin adj.; prime

Origin of primus²

1790–1800; < Latin prīmus; prime

Example Sentences

When the prime minister addresses the cabinet, not far away in 10 Downing Street, he is primus inter pares, first among equals, sitting among his or her ministers.

From BBC • Jul. 8, 2025

The invitation looks like a mistaken act of over-compensation, an effort to make sure the UK, an early backmarker, reverted to its traditional position of primus inter pares, the Special One.

From The Guardian • Jan. 31, 2017

Abdicare se papa primus fere sex vocant centurias.

From Slate • Feb. 11, 2013

Facile primus dixisse fertur, et a nullo negatur.

From Slate • Feb. 11, 2013

“Of arms I sing, and the man. Troiae qui primus ab oris Italiam.”

From "Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy" by Gary D. Schmidt