prima inter pares

[ pree-mah in-ter pah-res; English prahy-muh in-ter pair-eez, pree-muh ]

noun

, Latin.

, plural pri·mae in·ter pa·res [pree, -mee , in, -ter , pah, -res, prahy, -mey , in, -ter , pair, -eez, pree, ‐]

1. (of a female) first among equals.

Example Sentences

Mary Beard, argued Mark Wilson in the Independent, is "the best – or certainly the prima inter pares – communicator of Classics we have".

From The Guardian

If no woman has yet become prima inter pares, there are many whose work equals that of the lesser men, whose names are remembered as forming the different schools of composition.

From Project Gutenberg

In times past the Church of England has struggled to regain the position she formerly held in the older colonies; but now whatever efforts she makes in that direction are confined to the ambition of being prima inter pares--a position which is vigorously and even bitterly attacked by the other Protestant sects whenever she either tries to assert it or has it thrust upon her.

From Project Gutenberg

If Sydney would also forego its jealousy, and acknowledge the success of its rival by federating on a basis which should allow the Melbourne University the position of prima inter pares, all colonies would profit; but even if Sydney would federate--which I do not think in the least probable--it could hardly expect its successful confrère to meet it on terms of perfect equality, especially as, comparatively speaking, Melbourne has little to gain by federation.

From Project Gutenberg

The sun-goddess is the principal deity but remains simply prima inter pares.

From Project Gutenberg