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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Prime, Prym(e, adj. (n.³⁾. [ME (1399) (see Primage n.²⁾, and e.m.E. (c 1450), superl. primest (Shakesp.), F. prime, L. prīmus first.]

1. Of the highest rank or consequence, leading. a. Of persons. b. Of things.a. a1594 Marioreybanks (1814) 16 (Jam.).
The capitane … quho had so preserved such a pryme nobleman from sick imeneit destructione 1625 Scot Vox Vera 12.
Some prime men so persecuted 1628 Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. II 526.
Manie of the pryme officiars of estait … as namelie the Lord Stewart, the Admirall [etc.] 1638 Rothes Affairs Kirk 45. c1646 Craufurd Edinb. Univ. fol. 47.
The bailies [etc.] … and prime counseilers c1650 Spalding II 49.
The Laird Blakhall … ane pryme man 1659 A. Hay Diary 84.
Prym 1666 Dunblane Synod 35.
Especially the pryme families in parishes 1666-74 Fraser Polichron. 86.
With the prime and most part off his hostb. 1641 Acts V 541/1.
Innernes … the first and pryme burghe of the said shereffdome 1641 Glasgow B. Rec. II 47.
Glasgow … being one of the best peopled and pryme burghes within the kingdome 1646 Vindication Government Church Scotland 21.
A doctor of divinity … did sit with great renoune in the prime-chaire we had of that faculty ?c1675 J. Gordon Hist. I 24.
This seconde sturre upon the streetes of the pryme cittye [sc. Edinburgh]

c. superl. — c 1630 Balfour Her. Tracts 27.
And the places [sc. offices of Clerk of the Register and others] are amongest the prymest of the land 1630-1651 Gordon Geneal. Hist. 396.
Choosing them out of the most pryme and principall rank of gentlemen 1666-74 Fraser Polichron. 86.
Accompanied with the primest persones of his country

2. Principal, chief, main (agents of a specified kind; also, means of achieving something, place of resort).(1) 1631 Justiciary Cases I 188.
Quhairin ȝe name the Marques of Hammiltoun to be pryme agent and names the Erle of Melrose [etc.] … to be plotteris 1649 Acts VI ii 145/2.
Cheeff actouris and pryme promotters of the horrid rebellioun 1651 Hist. Fragm. I 19.
Archibald Hamilton … a prime intelligencer to Cromwell 1657 Balfour Ann. I 78.
Since the contrauersey was so intricat betuix thir tuo pryme pretenders [sc. Bruce and Baliol] 1661 Moray Synod 130.
As well prime actors as complices and assistants — c1650 Spalding I 231.
Patrik Leslie … now being ane pryme covenanter, and of good estait a1676 Guthry Mem. 106.
Many … of the prime covenanters obtained great pensions 16.. R. Gordon in Macfarlane's Geog. Coll. II 395.
Some few of the nobilitie who had bene pryme covenanters(2) 1660 Honours Scotl. 126.
The prime mean of their safetie was the declaring them to be caried off the kingdome 1666-74 Fraser Polichron. 201.
Especially the painted chamber called Shamerbrea which was the priors prime lodging

b. (Influence) as of a leader or prime mover. a1676 Guthry Mem. 145.
Other commissioners of the general assembly who had a prime influence upon public affairs, were [etc.]

3. absol. as noun in sense 1.Also superl. 1652 Protestation Given in by the Dissenting Brethren to the General Assembly July 21 12.
Some of the prime of their number 1666-74 Fraser Polichron. 289.
A select number of the prime and flour of his kinsmensuperl. 1643 Maxwell Mem. II 279.
This wes signifiet to me be on of the prymest