primate — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A mammal of the order Primates, comprising of apes (including humans), monkeys, lemurs, tarsiers, lorisids, and galagos.

   Examples

   Primates range from lemurs to gorillas.

2. An anthropoid; ape including human.

   Usage

   • Informal

Noun

1. In the Catholic Church, a rare title conferred to or claimed by the sees of certain archbishops, or the highest-ranking bishop of a present or historical, usually political circumscription.

   Examples

   The Archbishop of Quebec is the primate of Canada.

2. In the Orthodox Church, the presiding bishop of an ecclesiastical jurisdiction or region. Usually, the expression primate refers to the first hierarch of an autocephalous or autonomous Orthodox church. Less often, it is used to refer to the ruling bishop of an archdiocese or diocese.

3. In the Anglican Church, an archbishop, or the highest-ranking bishop of an ecclesiastic province.

Noun

1. a senior clergyman and dignitary

   Synonyms

   archpriesthierarchhigh priestprelate

   Broader terms

   priest

2. any placental mammal of the order Primates; has good eyesight and flexible hands and feet

   Broader terms

   placentalplacental mammaleutherianeutherian mammal