imprimis (refers to a distinction possessed in common with others, and in as high a degree as by the first among them: it is added to adjectives and adverbs; may follow its word [vir magnus imprimis, Cic.], or have one interposed [id - imprimis ego memorabile, etc.] ; it may be joined to a superlative [which Kritz denies; Pr., Introd., ii., 889]; and also give prominence to a single word or action): praecipue (from prae and capere, refers to a distinction one possesses before and over others; nearly = “particularly,” opposed to communiter, communis. Hence, of what belongs especially to the ind ividual, and not to most men or all men, etc. It is PROP. used with verbs: sometimes, like praesertim, to give prominence to one word or notion): praesertim (prae, before; serere, to connect: it denotes that what is said applies in an especial degree to one case; it often, therefore, introduces an especial condition or case, praesertim cum; cum praesertim; praesertim si. It can not stand with the principal verb of the sentence. ☞ not virtus est praesertim, but praecipue, colenda], except when, after the general statement, it adds a case to which it particularly applies [e.g., ego tibi a vi, haec praesertim imbecillitate magistratuum, praestare non possum: deforme est de se ipso praedicare, falsa praesertim]): maxime (does not contain a comparison with others, but strengthens the predicate itself. A especially, but also B, maxime A, sed et B: especially because, maxime quod: especially if, maxime si, of what is to be done especially on a certain condition; e.g., scribe aliquid, et maxime si Pompeius etc., Cic.): potissimum (by preference to all others). ☞ Perhaps it may help the pupil to tell him that praecipue should be taken to express a higher degree than is common, etc.; praesertim, to define more particularly the case to which what has been said applies especially; it does not therefore go with verbs (not praesertim florere, but praecipue); maxime, to make a general statement apply with the most force to a particular case: ☞ imprimis occurs more than eleven times in Cic.; not twice only, as Sturenburg maintained. Epecially if, praesertim si; maxime si (Vid: under maxime, above. ☞ Never praecipue si or cum). A and epecially B, cum A, tum imprimis B; cum or tum A, tum maxime B; ut A, tum maxime B (rare; Cic.): especially because, maxime quod. But especially, praesertim or imprimis autem (☞ not praesertim vero or autem). And especially, imprimisque; et praesertim; maximeque. Maxime is often strengthened by vel (e.g., hoc uno praestamus vel maxime feris, quod etc.).