Answer: prime

AnswerCrossword Clue
PRIMEWord before rate or time
PRIMEPrepare the engine
PRIMETop quality, as beef
PRIMEWord before cut or time
PRIMEHighest grade?
PRIMEBest rate
PRIMELike 2 or 7, but not 27
PRIMECut or time
PRIMEKind of rib or minister
PRIMEReady
PRIMEPrepare for painting
PRIMESteak rating, and word that can precede the first words of the answers to starred clues
PRIMEBeef rating
PRIMESteak grade
PRIMEBeef grade
PRIMEWord before number or rate
PRIMEHighest-quality
PRIMEPrincipal
PRIMEBest-quality
PRIMESteak designation
primebasic
PRIMEFed concern
PRIME2 or 3, but not 4
PRIMEBeef designation
PRIMEMeat rating
PRIMENumber like 3 or 13
PRIMELike 7 or 17
PRIMEHigh-quality
PRIMEHeyday
PRIMEApply a basecoat to
PRIMEMost important
PRIMEOf fine quality
PRIMEGet ready to paint
PRIMERate in the news
PRIMEChoice
PRIMERate in the financial pages
PRIMETime of your life
PRIME.. minister
PRIMEFirst-rate
PRIMEMuch-watched interest rate