好词典

primes

UK //praɪmz//US //praɪmz//

词源

源自拉丁语 'primus'(第一的),通过古法语 'prime' 进入英语,数学意义最早记录于16世纪。

noun

❶ 指数学中的质数,即只能被1和自身整除的自然数,如2、3、5等。在数论和密码学中有重要应用。

“The first few primes are 2, 3, 5, and 7.”

(最初的几个质数是2、3、5和7。)

“Mathematicians are still searching for larger primes.”

(数学家们仍在寻找更大的质数。)

❶ 指最佳状态或黄金时期,形容事物处于最旺盛或最理想的阶段。

“She won the championship in the prime of her career.”

(她在职业生涯的黄金时期赢得了冠军。)

“The ancient temple was preserved in its prime condition.”

(这座古庙保存完好,处于最佳状态。)

同义词:prime numbers, best years, peak, zenith

verb

❶ 指事先准备或处理某物使其处于最佳状态,常见于机械操作或心理准备场景。

“The coach primed the team before the big game.”

(教练在大赛前给队伍做了充分动员。)

“You need to prime the pump before it will work properly.”

(你需要先给泵注水才能正常使用。)

同义词:prepare, condition, ready, brief

常见短语

prime time — 指电视节目的黄金时段,通常为晚间收视率最高的时间段。

“The show airs during prime time at 8pm every weekday.”

(这个节目在工作日晚8点的黄金时段播出。)

prime the pump — 字面指给泵注水使其工作,比喻通过初期投入刺激后续发展。

“The government is priming the pump with infrastructure investments.”

(政府正通过基础设施投资来刺激经济发展。)