prim

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   excessively proper, formal, or easily shocked by behavior

   His prim manner concealed a sharp sense of humor.

2. 2
   adj

   very neat, precise, and restrained in appearance

   She kept the office prim and orderly.

3. 3
   verb

   to make the mouth or expression look stiffly proper

   He primmed his lips before delivering the criticism.

Of uncertain origin, first recorded as an adjective in the early eighteenth century for stiffly formal respectability. It may be related to primp or prink, verbs associated with careful dressing and appearance.

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