prim

Etymology 1

From Provençal prim (“delicate, excellent”), from Old French prim, prin, from Latin primus (“first”). Doublet of prime.

adj

1. prudish, straight-laced
   God damn it, what does she want of me, this sad, beautiful bridgeplayer of the Fifth Floor, with her air of lost love and her prim carnality? After seven years of her, Brotherhood still had no idea. He'd be out touring the stations, he'd be in Bongabonga land. He'd not speak or write to her for months. Yet he'd hardly unpacked his toothbrush before she was in his arms, demanding him with her sad and hungry eyes. 1986, John le Carré, A Perfect Spy
2. formal; precise; affectedly neat or nice
   prim regularity; a prim person

verb

1. (dated) To make affectedly precise or proper.
2. (dated) To dress or act smartly.

Etymology 2

See privet.

noun

1. (plants) privet