primates

IPA/ˈpraɪ.meɪt/
KK[prˈaɪmˌets]IPA/ˈpraɪ.meɪt/

primates — 名詞

  • primatessingular
  • primatesesplural

1. a mammal that belongs to the biological order Primates — these animals typically

1.名詞B2
釋義

靈長類

哺乳動物中最高等的一目，包括猴子、猿類

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.

例句

Dr. Amara Okafor spent six months observing wild primates in the forests of Rwanda.

Dr. Amara Okafor 花了六個月的時間在盧安達的森林裡觀察野生靈長類動物。

collocation: observe / study primates

Primate babies usually cling to their mother's fur during the first weeks of life.

靈長類的嬰兒在出生後的前幾週通常會緊抓住母親的毛髮。

collocation: primate babies / infant primates

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

❌Primates are the same as monkeys.
✅Monkeys are one type of primate, but the group also includes apes, lemurs, and humans.
💡'Primate' is a broad category that includes many animals beyond monkeys.

2. a bishop or archbishop who holds the highest-ranking position in the church of a

2.名詞C1
釋義

首席主教

在某一國家或教區中地位最高的主教

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.

例句

The Archbishop of Canterbury serves as the primate of the Church of England.

坎特伯里大主教擔任英格蘭教會的首席主教。

pattern: primate + of + [church / region]

In the thirteenth century, the primate of Ireland summoned a council of bishops in Dublin to address church reforms.

十三世紀時，愛爾蘭的首席主教在都柏林召集了一場主教會議來討論教會改革。

historical context

同義詞
  • 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.

常見錯誤

❌The pope is the primate of the Catholic Church.
✅The pope is the supreme pontiff; the primate usually refers to the highest-ranking bishop in a country or region.
💡In Catholic usage, 'primate' denotes a specific rank of bishop below the pope.