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main; most important; basic 主要的;首要的;基本的 My prime concern is to protect my property. 我最关心的是保护自己的财产。 Winning is not the prime objective in this sport. 获胜不是这项体育运动的主要目的。 The care of the environment is of prime importance. 保护环境是最重要的。 He's the police's prime suspect in this case. 他是该案中警方的主要怀疑对象。
Synonyms mainmain- major
- key
- central
- principal
- chief
- prime
- main [only before noun] largest or most important:
Be careful crossing the main road. 过大马路时小心点。 The main thing is to remain calm. 最重要的是要保持冷静。
- major [usually before noun] very large or important:
He played a major role in setting up the system. 他在建立这个系统的过程中起了主要的作用。
- key [usually before noun] most important; essential:
He was a key figure in the campaign. 他是这场运动的关键人物。
- central (rather formal
) most important: 指最重要的、首要的、主要的: The central issue is that of widespread racism. 最重要的问题是种族主义到处泛滥。
- principal [only before noun] (rather formal
) most important: 指最重要的、首要的、主要的: The principal reason for this omission is lack of time. 跳过它的主要原因是时间不足。
- chief [only before noun] (rather formal
) most important: 指最重要的、首要的、主要的: Unemployment was the chief cause of poverty. 失业是贫穷的主要原因。
- prime [only before noun] (rather formal) most important; to be considered first:
My prime concern is to protect my property. 我最关心的是保护自己的财产。
- a/the main/major/key/central/principal/chief/prime aim/concern
- a/the main/major/principal road/town/city
- the main/key thing is to…
- to be of major/key/central/prime importance
of the best quality; excellent 优质的;上乘的;优异的 Extra ExamplesOver £100 000 worth of prime lamb was destroyed in the fire. 价值超过10万英镑的上等羊肉在大火中被毁。 a prime location in the centre of town 位于市中心的黄金地段
a prime example of something is one that is typical of it 典型的;有代表性的 most likely to be chosen for something; most suitable 最可能的;首选的;最适宜的
Word Originadjective Old English prīm (referring to a service of the Divine Office of the Western Church, said at the first hour of the day), from Latin prima (hora) ‘first (hour)’, reinforced in Middle English by Old French prime; the adjective dates from late Middle English, via Old French from Latin primus ‘first’.