How Do You Spell PRIMAGE?

Pronunciation: [pɹˈa͡ɪmɪd͡ʒ] (IPA)

The word "Primage" is not commonly used in modern English, but it refers to the fee paid to the captain of a ship for the use of a port or station. The spelling of this word might seem a little confusing at first, but it's actually quite straightforward once you understand its pronunciation. According to the IPA phonetic transcription, "Primage" is pronounced /ˈprɪmɪdʒ/, with stress on the first syllable and a "j" sound (representing the "g" sound in "image") at the end. This spelling reflects the word's historical origins and allows for a clear and consistent pronunciation across all English-speaking regions.

PRIMAGE Meaning and Definition

1. Primage is a term that refers to a fee or charge imposed on merchants or ship owners for the privilege of loading or unloading cargo in a particular port or harbor. It has historically been associated with the shipping industry, particularly during the era of sail. The fee was typically collected by the port authorities or dockworkers, and its purpose was to compensate them for their services, including the use of the infrastructure and equipment necessary for the loading or unloading operations.

   The term "primage" is believed to have originated from the French word "primage" or "primageage," which means "a percentage." This reflects the fact that primage was often calculated as a percentage of the cargo's value or the total freight charges. The specific percentage varied depending on the port, prevailing customs, and local regulations.

   As trade and shipping practices evolved over time, the collection of primage became less common. In many modern ports, it has been replaced by more standardized fees, such as docking charges or container handling fees. However, primage still holds historical relevance and is occasionally encountered in old maritime literature or legal documents.

   Overall, primage can be understood as a compensation fee paid to port authorities or dockworkers for the privilege of loading or unloading cargo. It records the historical practices and economic arrangements prevalent in the shipping industry, providing insights into the evolution of the maritime trade.

2. In commerce, an allowance paid to the master and sailors of a ship for loading or unloading a cargo, and for the use of cables and ropes.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for PRIMAGE

• primatge
• orimage
• lrimage
• 0rimage
• peimage
• pdimage
• pfimage
• ptimage
• p5image
• p4image
• prumage
• prjmage
• prkmage
• promage
• pr9mage
• pr8mage
• prinage
• prikage
• prijage
• primzge

Etymology of PRIMAGE

The word "primage" has an interesting etymology. It is derived from the Old French word "prestimoie", which itself came from the Latin word "praestimare" meaning "to value" or "to estimate". In maritime contexts, "primage" originally referred to a fee or contribution paid by a ship or its crew to the captain or owner. The captain or owner would estimate the value of the cargo and demand a percentage as primage. Over time, the term evolved to refer specifically to a charge imposed on the cargo carried by a ship.

Plural form of PRIMAGE is PRIMAGES