primate

noun

pri·​mate
ˈprī-ˌmāt,
or especially for sense 1
-mət How to pronounce primate (audio)
1
often capitalized : a bishop who has precedence in a province, a group of provinces, or a nation
2
archaic : one first in authority or rank : leader
3
: any of an order (Primates) of mammals that are characterized especially by advanced development of binocular vision resulting in stereoscopic depth perception, specialization of the hands and feet for grasping, and enlargement of the cerebral hemispheres and that include humans, apes, monkeys, and related forms (such as lemurs and tarsiers)
primateship noun
primatial adjective

Examples of primate in a Sentence

the Primate of England and Wales
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Research has shown that CWD prions can be transmitted to some non-human primates, namely the squirrel monkey. Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024 The cycling of day and night creates a natural clock that enables a restorative night’s sleep for primates like us. Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Oct. 2024 However, with the DRC still suffering the impacts of war, can the planet’s largest primates be rescued from extinction? Max Goldbart, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2024 Chimp Crazy has ended, but PETA's goal to stop the private ownership of primates continues. Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 11 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for primate 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English primat, primate, borrowed from Anglo-French primat, primas, borrowed from Late Latin prīmāt-, prīmās "chief, superior, chief bishop," noun derivative of Latin prīmāt-, prīmās "of the highest rank, noble," from prīmus "first, foremost" + -āt-, -ās, adjective-forming suffix, originally from place names; (sense 3) after New Latin Primates (order name introduced by linnaeus), plural of Latin prīmās — more at prime entry 1

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of primate was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near primate

Cite this Entry

“Primate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/primate. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

primate

noun
pri·​mate ˈprī-ˌmāt How to pronounce primate (audio)
 or especially for 1  -mət
1
: a bishop or archbishop of the highest rank in a district, nation, or church
2
: any of an order of mammals that are characterized by hands and feet that grasp, a relatively large complex brain, and vision in which objects are seen in three dimensions and that includes human beings, apes, monkeys, and related forms (as lemurs and tarsiers)

Medical Definition

primate

noun
pri·​mate ˈprī-ˌmāt How to pronounce primate (audio)
: any mammal of the order Primates

More from Merriam-Webster on primate

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