Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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PRIME, v., adj., adv. Also pryme. Sc. usages: I. v. 1. tr. To fill, stuff full, charge, load (Rnf. 1788 E. Picken Poems Gl., pryme). Also fig., of anger, passion or the like. Gen.Sc., now only dial. in Eng.Edb. 1791 J. Learmont Poems 109:
Her bottle prim'd came last night frae the town.Rnf. 1805 G. McIndoe Poems 149:
John calmly prim'd his nose.Sc. 1825 Jam.:
I sent him aff weel prim'd wi' passion.Fif. 1864 W. D. Latto T. Bodkin xv.:
He was primed to the tap o' the thrapple wi' some confoondit clashes.Sc. 1883 G. McMichael Way through Ayrshire 126:
The injector, for priming the steam boiler.

2. To bring (a pump) into operation by charging it with water (s.Sc. a.1840 N.E.D.). Gen.Sc. and n.Eng. dial. Also fig.Sc. 1819 Scott Letters (Cent. ed.) V. 295:
Thus ended her attempt, notwithstanding her having primed the pump with a good dose of flattery.Sc. 1882 Ogilvie Dict.:
To prime a pump, to pour water down the tube with the view of saturating the sucker, so causing it to swell, and act effectually in bringing up water.

II. adj. Ready, prepared, eager (Sc. 1903 E.D.D.). Prob. a reduced form of ppl.adj. primed, as applied to a gun: loaded, ready.Slg. 1804 G. Galloway Luncarty 28:
Our army thus pants glowing, prime for action.

III. adv. Very well, excellently. Also in form primely, id. Colloq. or dial. in Eng.Ayr. 1786 Burns To James Smith iv.:
My barmie noddle's working prime.Gsw. 1873 A. G. Murdoch Lilts 26:
He who this night dares the road, Should have his good steed primely shod.Sc. 1900 Blackwood's Mag. (March) 367:
It was primely witty to half-poison somebody with a surreptitious dose of medicine.