primates
primates — noun
- primatessingular
- primatesesplural
1. a mammal that belongs to the biological order Primates — these animals typically
a mammal that belongs to the biological order Primates — these animals typically have hands and feet adapted for gripping, eyes at the front of the face that provide good depth perception, and a relatively large brain compared to other mammals of similar size; this group includes monkeys, apes, lemurs, tarsiers, and humans.
Dr. Amara Okafor spent six months observing wild primates in the forests of Rwanda.
collocation: observe / study primates
Primate babies usually cling to their mother's fur during the first weeks of life.
collocation: primate babies / infant primates
Some primates, like chimpanzees, can learn to use sticks as simple tools to reach food.
Deforestation threatens many primate species across Borneo and the Amazon.
The primate order includes apes, Old World monkeys, and New World monkeys.
文法句型
primate(s) + verb
order Primates (capitalised)
用法筆記
The singular form is primate (e.g. 'a single primate'). When capitalised as Primates, the word refers to the entire biological order as a taxonomic group. Avoid confusing primate (the animal) with 'prime' (meaning first or best).
常見錯誤
2. a bishop or archbishop who holds the highest-ranking position in the church of a
a bishop or archbishop who holds the highest-ranking position in the church of a particular country, province, or region, with authority or precedence over other bishops in that area.
The Archbishop of Canterbury serves as the primate of the Church of England.
pattern: primate + of + [church / region]
In the thirteenth century, the primate of Ireland summoned a council of bishops in Dublin to address church reforms.
historical context
During the coronation ceremony, the primate blessed the new king in front of thousands of worshippers.
Primate Theophilus of Alexandria was a powerful figure in the early Christian church.
- archbishop
A senior bishop; in many churches an archbishop may also be the primate, though not all archbishops hold that title.
- metropolitan
A bishop with authority over other bishops in a province; similar in rank to a primate in some traditions.
文法句型
the + primate + of + [region / country]
用法筆記
This sense is most common in historical contexts and within the Anglican and Catholic traditions. The singular form is primate. The title is often capitalised when used as part of a formal name (e.g. 'Primate of Poland'). Compare with archbishop, which may be a lower or equivalent rank depending on the church hierarchy.