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PRIM
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
Irregular inflected forms: primmed , primmer , primmest , primming
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Exaggeratedly proper
Example:
my straitlaced Aunt Anna doesn't approve of my miniskirts
Synonyms:
priggish; prim; prissy; prudish; puritanical; square-toed; straight-laced; straightlaced; strait-laced; straitlaced; tight-laced; victorian
Classified under:
Similar:
proper (marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness)
Derivation:
primness (exaggerated and arrogant properness)
primness (excessive or affected modesty)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Affectedly dainty or refined
Synonyms:
mincing; niminy-piminy; prim; twee
Classified under:
Similar:
refined ((used of persons and their behavior) cultivated and genteel)
Derivation:
primness (excessive or affected modesty)
II. (verb)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Dress primly
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care
Hypernyms (to "prim" is one way to...):
apparel; clothe; dress; enclothe; fit out; garb; garment; habilitate; raiment; tog (provide with clothes or put clothes on)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s
Sense 2
Meaning:
Contract one's lips
Example:
She primmed her lips after every bite of food
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Hypernyms (to "prim" is one way to...):
compact; compress; constrict; contract; press; squeeze (squeeze or press together)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Sense 3
Meaning:
Assume a prim appearance
Example:
They mince and prim
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Hypernyms (to "prim" is one way to...):
change (undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature)
Sentence frames:
Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Context examples:
I've played the part of a prim young lady on the stage, and I'll try it off.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
He is exceedingly neat and prim in his ways, dresses always with great care in white drill suits and high brown mosquito-boots, and shaves at least once a day.
(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Jo understood why Laurie 'primmed up his mouth' when speaking of Kate, for that young lady had a standoff-don't-touch-me air, which contrasted strongly with the free and easy demeanor of the other girls.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
But Aunt March had not this gift, and she worried Amy very much with her rules and orders, her prim ways, and long, prosy talks.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
We both bowed, and then we laughed, for the prim introduction and the blunt addition were rather a comical contrast.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
Jo stood aloof, meanwhile, trying to harden her heart against him, and succeeding only in primming up her face into an expression of entire disapprobation.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
If the Laurences had been what Jo called 'prim and poky', she would not have got on at all, for such people always made her shy and awkward.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
I fancied, from the way he primmed up his mouth in speaking of her, that he didn't admire Kate much.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
I hate to think I've got to grow up, and be Miss March, and wear long gowns, and look as prim as a China Aster!
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
And he looked up and laughed outright, for Jo's prim manner was rather funny when he remembered how they had chatted about cricket when he brought the cat home.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
