Prime.
1. (Gearing.) A number which is only divisible by itself or unity. Numbers prime to each other have no common factor except 1. In wheel work, it is usual in any wheel and pinion that act on each other to use numbers of teeth which are prime to each other, so that each tooth of the pinion may encounter every tooth of the wheel in turn.
2. (Steam.) To carry over water with the steam. 3. To put powder in the pan of a fire-arm, or lay a train of powder to a charge.
4. (Printing.) A mark over a reference letter (a′, b′, etc.) to distinguish it from letters (a, b, etc.) not so marked.
