† ˈprimices, n. pl. Obs.
Also 4 prymysies, primyssis, primycies, 6 premities, 7 premices.
[a. OF. pri-, premices (12th c. in Littré, mod.F. prémices):—L. prīmitiæ, -iciæ first-fruits, f. prīmus first.]
First-fruits.
| c 1250 Gen. & Ex. 921 Abel primices first bi-gan. 1382 Wyclif Ezek. xx. 40 There I shal seche ȝour prymysies [gloss or first fruytis]. 1382 ― Rev. xiv. 4 Primycies [gl. or firste fruytis] to God, and to the lomb. 1595 T. P. Goodwine Blanchardine ii. Ded., And as these (my Premities, patronized by you) shall seeme pleasing; so wil I alwaies be most readie..to offer it vp in all dutie at your shrine. 1603 Holland Plutarch's Mor. 683 The primices and first gatherings of those herbs and roots. 1693 Dryden Disc. Orig. & Prog. Satire Ess. (ed. Ker) II. 54 Fruits offered to the gods at their festivals, as the premices, or first gatherings. |