PRIMACY

primacy

(noun) the state of being first in importance

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

primacy (usually uncountable, plural primacies)

The state or condition of being prime or first, as in time, place, rank, etc.

• I am reading Nick Sousanis’ PhD dissertation-as-a-comic Unflattening. It debunks the primacy of word over image in Western culture and suggests that the two are equal partners in meaning-making.

(archaic) excellence; supremacy.

(religion) The office, rank, or character of a primate, it being the chief ecclesiastical station or dignity in a national church

(religion) the office or dignity of an archbishop

Source: Wiktionary

Pri"ma*cy, n. Etym: [LL. primatia, fr. L. primas, -atis, one of the first or principal, chief, fr. primus first: cf. F. primatie. See Prime, a.]

1. The state or condition of being prime or first, as in time, place, rank, etc., hence, excellency; supremacy. [R.] De Quincey.

2. The office, rank, or character of a primate; the chief ecclesiastical station or dignity in a national church; the office or dignity of an archbishop; as, the primacy of England.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition