primo adjective & noun. ['pri:mǝʊ] Pl. (in senses A.1, B.) -mi [-mi], (in sense B.) -mos. M18.
[Italian = first. Cf. PRIMA noun.]
A. adjective.
1. Music. Of a musician, performer, role, etc.: principal, chief; of highest quality or importance. M18.
primo buffo ['bʊfǝʊ], pl. primi buffi [-fi], primo buffos, [BUFFO] the principal male comic singer or actor in an opera or opera company. primo tenore [tɛ'nɔ:ri], pl. primi tenori [-ri], [TENORE] the principal tenor in an opera or opera company; a tenor of the highest accomplishment or rank; primo tenore assoluto [asǝ'lu:tǝʊ] [= complete], a primo tenore of outstanding excellence. primo uomo [ʊ'ǝʊmǝʊ], pl. primi uomi [-mi], primo uomos, [= man] the principal male singer in an opera or opera company.

2. First-class, first-rate; of top quality. slang (chiefly US). L20.
b. noun. Music. (The pianist who plays) the upper part in a piano duet. L18.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲