chief (adj.) Copy link Outline 1. prīmus (of that which takes the precedence2. princeps, ĭpis, (= primus)3. prīmārius (first in rank, first rate4. praecĭpŭus (esp. of things rather than persons; though not solely)5. prīmōris, e6. (Only when chief = greatest) • chief (adj.): 1. prīmus (of that which takes the precedence: only to be used when the context excludes ambiguity: v. first): unquestionably the c. man in his borough, sui municipii facile primus, Cic.: esp. in poet. the c. of the young men, juvenum primi, Virg.: v. principal. 2. princeps, ĭpis, (= primus): the c. men in the state, in republica principes, Cic.: the c. place in an embassy, legationis p. locus, Caes. (N.B.--The above words are often used substantively, both in sing. and pl.: v. examples.) 3. prīmārius (first in rank, first rate: q. v.): the c. man in a state, p. vir populi, Cic. 4. praecĭpŭus (esp. of things rather than persons; though not solely): v. principal. 5. prīmōris, e: in this sense rare except as subs.: v. chief (subs.). 6. (Only when chief = greatest): maxĭmus, summus: v. great. Phr.: the c. good, summum bonum, Cic.: the c. (ultimate) cause, ultima causa, Hor.: the c. dish at a supper, caput coenae, Cic.: the c. element of a happy life is freedom from care, caput est ad beate vivendum securitas, Cic.: to confer the chief command of a war upon anyone, ad aliquem totius belli summam deferre, Caes. (v. to appoint, 5, 6): to him the c. civil and military authority was entrusted, ei principatus atque imperium est traditum, Caes.: v. foremost, principal.