noun

primate

primate, archbishop

Humans, apes, and monkeys are primates.

Humans, apes, and monkeys are primates.

The primate of the church gave a speech.

The primate of the church gave a speech.

a/an ((primate)) a member of the most developed order of mammals Humans, apes, and monkeys are primates.

Synonyms: (mammal) ape, monkey; (church) archbishop

From Latin 'primas' (chief, of the first rank), referring to what was considered the 'highest' order of mammals.

Think 'primary' or 'prime'. Linnaeus considered this order of mammals to be the 'prime' or first-ranking one.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.