From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Privet \Priv"et\, n. [Cf. Scot. privie, Prov. E. prim-print,
primwort. Prob. for primet, and perh. named from being cut
and trimmed. See, Prim, a., and cf. Prime to prune,
Prim, n., Prie, n.] (Bot.)
An ornamental European shrub (Ligustrum vulgare), much used
in hedges; -- called also prim.
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Egyptian privet. See Lawsonia.
Evergreen privet, a plant of the genus Rhamnus. See
Alatern.
Mock privet, any one of several evergreen shrubs of the
genus Phillyrea. They are from the Mediterranean region,
and have been much cultivated for hedges and for
fancifully clipped shrubberies.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Prim \Prim\, n. [See Privet.] (Bot)
The privet.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Prim \Prim\, a. [OF. prim, prin, prime, first, principal. sharp,
thin, piercing, fr. L. primus first. See Prime, a.]
Formal; precise; affectedly neat or nice; as, prim
regularity; a prim person. --Swift.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Prim \Prim\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Primmed; p. pr. & vb. n.
Primming.]
To deck with great nicety; to arrange with affected
preciseness; to prink.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Prim \Prim\, v. i.
To dress or act smartly. [R.]
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