primate

pri·mate

noun
\ˈprī-ˌmāt or especially for 1 -mət\

Definition of PRIMATE

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

[New Latin Primates, from Latin, plural of primat-, primas] : any of an order (Primates) of mammals that are characterized especially by advanced development of binocular vision, specialization of the appendages for grasping, and enlargement of the cerebral hemispheres and that include humans, apes, monkeys, and related forms (as lemurs and tarsiers)

— pri·mate·ship \-ˌship\ noun

— pri·ma·tial \prī-ˈmā-shəl\ adjective

Examples of PRIMATE

1. the Primate of England and Wales

Origin of PRIMATE

Middle English primat, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin primat-, primas archbishop, from Latin, leader, from primus

First Known Use: 13th century