Main Entry:: pri·mate
Pronunciation:: \ˈprī-ˌmāt or especially for 1 -mət\
Function:: noun
Etymology:: Middle English primat, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin primat-, primas archbishop, from Latin, leader, from primus
Date:: 13th century

1often capitalized : a bishop who has precedence in a province, a group of provinces, or a nation2archaic : one first in authority or rank : leader3[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

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