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# primate

noun (a primate, primates)

«primate» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A primate is a mammal belonging to the group that includes humans, apes (gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans, gibbons), monkeys and lemurs; primates usually have hands that can grasp, forward-facing eyes and big brains. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/primate/#m1)
2. (church) A primate is the most senior bishop of a country or region; for example, the Archbishop of Canterbury is called the Primate of All England. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/primate/#m2)

### In the lessons

In science lessons on animal groups (classification), primates are mammals with flexible hands and feet, fingernails instead of claws, good eyesight and clever brains; humans are primates too. Many primates live in rainforests and are endangered. In RE lessons about the Church of England or the Catholic Church, «primate» is a title for a top archbishop. Phrases: non-human primates, great apes, the Primate of All Ireland.

### Examples

- Humans, monkeys and apes are all primates. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/primate/#x1)
- Primates have hands that can grip things. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/primate/#x2)
- Lemurs are primates that live only in Madagascar. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/primate/#x3)
- Many primates live in groups and look after their young for a long time. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/primate/#x4)
- Chimpanzees are the primates most closely related to humans. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/primate/#x5)
- Scientists study primates to learn how they use tools. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/primate/#x6)
- (church) The Archbishop of Armagh is the Primate of All Ireland. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/primate/#x7)
- Gorillas are the largest primates. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/primate/#x8)

### Note

Countable: a primate, primates. Pronounced «PRY-mate» for the animal, and also «PRY-mit» for the church title. Trap: «primate» does not mean only monkeys; humans and apes are primates too. Apes have no tails; most monkeys have tails.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «primate» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/primate/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«primate» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/primate.html) on Mova free.