primus

¹ American  

[prahy-muhs] / ˈpraɪ məs /

noun

(often initial capital letter)

plural

primuses

1. Scottish Episcopal Church. a bishop who is elected to represent the church body and to summon and preside at synods but who possesses no metropolitan power.

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primus ² American  

[prahy-muhs] / ˈpraɪ məs /

adjective

1. (in prescriptions) first.

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Primus ³ American  

[pree-muhs] / ˈpri məs /

noun

1. Pearl, 1919–1994, U.S. dancer, born in Trinidad.

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Primus ¹ British  

/ ˈpraɪməs /

noun

1. Also called: Primus stove.  a portable paraffin cooking stove, used esp by campers

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primus ² British  

/ ˈpraɪməs /

noun

1. Scottish Episcopal Church the presiding bishop in the Synod

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Etymology

Origin of primus¹

1855–60; < Medieval Latin prīmus, noun use of Latin adj.; see prime

Origin of primus²

1790–1800; < Latin prīmus; see prime

Example Sentences

When the prime minister addresses the cabinet, not far away in 10 Downing Street, he is primus inter pares, first among equals, sitting among his or her ministers.

From BBC • Jul. 8, 2025

The Nationalist military chieftains who elevated Francisco Franco to supreme power may initially have thought of their leader as a sort of primus inter pares, but this notion did not accord with Franco’s ideas.

From Slate • Feb. 9, 2017

Abdicare se papa primus fere sex vocant centurias.

From Slate • Feb. 11, 2013

He was acknowledged to be the primus inter pares of the Italian composers of the day.

From The Guardian • Sep. 17, 2010

From somewhere in the depths of the car our mother unearths a primus stove, which she sets up on the kitchen floor, since there is no table.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood