Pri"ma*cy (?), n. [LL. primatia,
fr. L. primas, -atis, one of the first or principal,
chief, fr. primus first: cf. F. primatie. See
Prime, a.] 1. The state
or condition of being prime or first, as in time, place, rank, etc.,
hence, excellency; supremacy. [R.] De Quincey.
2. The office, rank, or character of a
primate; the chief ecclesiastical station or dignity in a national
church; the office or dignity of an archbishop; as, the primacy
of England.