noun
prime
A traditional Christian prayer service held at the first hour of daylight.
The monks gather in the chapel each morning to recite prime.
Etymology
The Latin adjective means first. The service-name identifies the canonical hour associated with the first hour of daylight.
More examples
- The community observes prime at six in the morning.
- After prime, the brothers begin their daily work.
- The old prayer book includes the psalms for prime.
Forms
prime
Similar words
- office
- A prescribed prayer service at any designated canonical hour.