▪ I. preem, n.1 local.
(priːm)
Also 7–8 preme.
[perh. a variant of preen n.; cf. MDu., Du. priem, MLG. prême, MHG. pfrieme, G. pfriem, pfriemen an awl, bodkin, etc.]
(See quot. 1850.)
| 1688 R. Holme Armoury iii. 289/1 The Preme is made of white Wands, this is for the opening of the Yarn..so that each thred may pass clearly through the Reed. 1726 Dict. Rust. s.v. Loom. 1850 S. Bamford Dial. S. Lancs. Gloss. 185 Preem, a comb used by weavers, to loosen the yarn. |
▪ II. preem, n.2 and v.2
(priːm)
U.S. slang abbrev. of première n. or v.
| 1937 Amer. Speech XII. 317/2 Preem, first showing. 1937 [see ork]. 1942 Berrey & Van den Bark Amer. Thes. Slang §590/30 Preem, to present a premiere performance. 1945 [see hypo v.]. 1945 [see première v.]. 1948 Variety 25 Aug. 1/2 The mother-daughter act..has been bought by ABC and set for an Oct. 4 preem. 1952 N.Y. Daily News 5 Aug. 23c/5 A new hour-long radio show..which preems via abc [network] Sunday, Aug. 17. 1961 A. Berkman Singers' Gloss. Show Business 70 Preem (Var.), theatre premiere. |
▪ III. preem, v.1 local.
(priːm)
[f. prec.]
In textile manufacture, To clean the teasels ? with a preem or comb. Hence ˈpreeming vbl. n.; also ˈpreemer (see quot.).
| 1835 Ure Philos. Manuf. 202 The next employment in the cloth manufacture for which boys are fit, is preeming; that is, cleaning the teasel-rods and handles. Ibid., Preeming is much harder and more disagreeable work than carping. Ibid. 203 After the preeming period, the lads are put either to the gig-machines, or to the lewises in the cutting or shearing-room. 1903 Eng. Dial. Dict., Preemer, a boy who cleans teazles. W. Yks. |
▪ IV. preem
(Fencing), obs. form of prime n.