Primacy refers to the state of being first in importance, rank, or order. It denotes preeminence or the highest level of significance, often implying priority over others. In discourse, primacy can influence perceived authority or priority in a sequence, decision, or hierarchy.
"The primacy of safety in the workplace cannot be overstated."
"Educational policy often asserts the primacy of early literacy in child development."
"In this debate, the primacy of factual accuracy should guide all arguments."
"The team stressed primacy of customer satisfaction as the core goal."
Primacy derives from the Latin primus, meaning first, with the suffix -acy denoting a state or quality. The word entered English in the 14th century via Old French primacie, from Latin primatia, from primus (first). Historically, primacy has carried a sense of being first in rank or importance, often in religious, political, or scholarly contexts. In early modern usage, primacy was tied to authority and precedence, as in claims of primacy of the church or of a faction. Over time, it broadened to denote any top priority or leading position, including scientific or cultural domains. First known uses appear in legal and philosophical texts describing the primacy of reason, the primacy of the state, or the primacy of certain arguments. In contemporary English, primacy is frequently paired with adjectives like ultimate, historical, or absolute, reinforcing its association with top primacy or central importance.
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Words that rhyme with "Primacy"
-ity sounds
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Pronounce it as /ˈpraɪməsi/ in US, UK, and AU. It has two syllables with primary stress on the first: PRI-mi-ci. The middle vowel is a relaxed /ə/ in the final syllable, and the final /si/ is pronounced as /si/ or /siː/ in careful speech. You can reference audio examples from dictionaries or Pronounce and practice by isolating each sound: /ˈpraɪ/ (PRY) + /mək/ (muh) + /si/ (see).
Common errors include misplacing stress (say-ing pri-MA-cy) and mispronouncing the middle vowel as a full /iː/ or /ɪ/ rather than a schwa. Another frequent slip is turning the final /si/ into /siː/ or slurring the /m/ with /k/ sounds. Correct by keeping primary stress on the first syllable, using a light /ə/ for the middle vowel, and ensuring the final /si/ is clean and not prolonged.
Across US/UK/AU, the initial /praɪ/ cluster remains the same with strong diphthong /aɪ/. The middle /m/ is stable. The key differences lie in vowel length and rhoticity: US tends to be a bit more rhotic with a slightly reduced final vowel in casual speech; UK often keeps a crisper /ɪ/ or /ə/ in the middle and a shorter final /si/; AU mirrors US but may sound more non-rhotic in fast speech, with the end sound slightly blurred. Overall, the main consonant timing is similar across dialects.
The challenge lies in the initial strong /praɪ/ diphthong, where your jaw opens as you glide from /aɪ/ to /ɪ/. Then the middle schwa /ə/ can be reduced or elided in fast speech, leading to a rushed PRI-ə-si. Finally, the /si/ requires a precise /s/ followed by a clean /i/ without lengthening. Practicing isolating and linking these segments helps stabilize the flow of the word.
No silent letters in Primacy, and the stress is consistently on the first syllable. The word’s rhythm is (PRI-mi-cy), with the vowel in the first syllable being a strong diphthong /aɪ/. The middle vowel is a reduced schwa /ə/ in connected speech, but the sound exists and is not silent. Focus on maintaining the three-syllable skeleton and avoid shifting stress to the second syllable in any normal usage.
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