prime

1. ADJ You use prime to describe something that is most important in a situation. 主要的[ADJ n]

Political stability, meanwhile, will be a prime concern. 与此同时，政治稳定将是头等大事。

It could be a prime target for guerrilla attack. 它会是游击队进攻的一个主要目标。

2. ADJ You use prime to describe something that is of the best possible quality. 最佳的[ADJ n]

The location of these beaches makes them prime sites for development. 这些海滩的位置使它们成为开发的最佳选址。

3. ADJ You use prime to describe an example of a particular kind of thing that is absolutely typical. 最典型的[ADJ n]

The prime example is Macy's, once the undisputed king of California retailers. 最典型的例子是梅西百货，曾是加州零售商们公认的王者。

4. N-UNCOUNT If someone or something is in their prime, they are at the stage in their existence when they are at their strongest, most active, or most successful. 鼎盛时期

Maybe I'm just coming into my prime now. 可能我刚迈入我的最佳时期。

We've had a series of athletes trying to come back well past their prime. 我们有不少早已过了鼎盛时期的运动员在试图复出。

5. V-T If you prime someone to do something, you prepare them to do it, for example, by giving them information about it beforehand. 事先交代 (某人做某事)

Claire wished she'd primed Sarah beforehand. 克莱尔希望她事先交代过萨拉。

Marianne had not known until Arnold primed her for her duties that she was to be the sole female. 直到阿诺德向她交待她的职责时，玛丽安娜才知道她将是惟一的女性。

6. V-T If someone primes a bomb or a gun, they prepare it so that it is ready to explode or fire. 事先准备 (炸弹、枪)

He was priming the bomb to go off in an hour's time. 他在事先准备炸弹在一小时后爆炸。

He kept a primed shotgun in his office. 他在办公室放了一杆装好子弹的散弹猎枪。