資料來源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
{Prime and ultimate ratio}. (Math.). See {Ultimate}.
{Prime conductor}. (Elec.) See under {Conductor}.
{Prime factor} (Arith.), a factor which is a prime number.
{Prime figure} (Geom.), a figure which can not be divided
into any other figure more simple than itself, as a
triangle, a pyramid, etc.
{Prime meridian} (Astron.), the meridian from which longitude
is reckoned, as the meridian of Greenwich or Washington.
{Prime minister}, the responsible head of a ministry or
executive government; applied particularly to that of
England.
{Prime mover}. (Mech.)
(a) A natural agency applied by man to the production of
power. Especially: Muscular force; the weight and
motion of fluids, as water and air; heat obtained by
chemical combination, and applied to produce changes
in the volume and pressure of steam, air, or other
fluids; and electricity, obtained by chemical action,
and applied to produce alternation of magnetic force.
(b) An engine, or machine, the object of which is to
receive and modify force and motion as supplied by
some natural source, and apply them to drive other
machines; as a water wheel, a water-pressure engine, a
steam engine, a hot-air engine, etc.
(c) Fig.: The original or the most effective force in any
undertaking or work; as, Clarkson was the prime mover
in English antislavery agitation.
{Prime number} (Arith.), a number which is exactly divisible
by no number except itself or unity, as 5, 7, 11.
{Prime vertical} (Astron.), the vertical circle which passes
through the east and west points of the horizon.
{Prime-vertical dial}, a dial in which the shadow is
projected on the plane of the prime vertical.
{Prime-vertical transit instrument}, a transit instrument the
telescope of which revolves in the plane of the prime
vertical, -- used for observing the transit of stars over
this circle.
Conductor \Con*duct"or\ (k[o^]n*d[u^]k"t[~e]r), n. [LL., a
carrier, transporter, L., a lessee.]
1. One who, or that which, conducts; a leader; a commander; a
guide; a manager; a director.
Zeal, the blind conductor of the will. --Dryden.
2. One in charge of a public conveyance, as of a railroad
train or a street car. [U. S.]
3. (Mus.) The leader or director of an orchestra or chorus.
4. (Physics) A substance or body capable of being a medium
for the transmission of certain forces, esp. heat or
electricity; specifically, a lightning rod.
5. (Surg.) A grooved sound or staff used for directing
instruments, as lithontriptic forceps, etc.; a director.
6. (Arch.) Same as {Leader}.
{Prime conductor} (Elec.), the largest conductor of an
electrical machine, serving to collect, accumulate, or
retain the electricity.