Primitive
['prɪmɪtɪv] or ['prɪmətɪv]
Definition
(noun.) a word serving as the basis for inflected or derived forms; '`pick' is the primitive from which `picket' is derived'.
(noun.) a mathematical expression from which another expression is derived.
(noun.) a person who belongs to an early stage of civilization.
(adj.) used of preliterate or tribal or nonindustrial societies; 'primitive societies' .
(adj.) of or created by one without formal training; simple or naive in style; 'primitive art such as that by Grandma Moses is often colorful and striking' .
Editor: Rena--From WordNet
Definition
(a.) Of or pertaining to the beginning or origin, or to early times; original; primordial; primeval; first; as, primitive innocence; the primitive church.
(a.) Of or pertaining to a former time; old-fashioned; characterized by simplicity; as, a primitive style of dress.
(a.) Original; primary; radical; not derived; as, primitive verb in grammar.
(n.) An original or primary word; a word not derived from another; -- opposed to derivative.
Typist: Molly
Synonyms and Synonymous
a. [1]. Primeval, primal, prime, primordial, original, aboriginal, pristine, primary, first.[2]. Radical, underived.
a. [1]. Original, primeval, primal, primordial, aboriginal, prime, primary pristine, first.[2]. Radical, underived.
Inputed by Alisa
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Old-fashioned, primeval, quaint, simple, unsophisticated, archaic, pristine
ANT:Modern, new-fangled, sophisticated, modish
Edited by Beverly
Definition
adj. belonging to the beginning or to the first times: original: ancient: antiquated old-fashioned: not derived: (biol.) rudimentary primary or first of its kind: (geol.) of the earliest formation.—n. a primitive word or one not derived from another: (math.) a form from which another is derived.—ns.pl. Prim′itive-col′ours the colours from which all others are supposed to be derived—viz. red yellow and blue; Prim′itive-fa′thers the Christian writers before the Council of Nice 325 A.D.—adv. Prim′itively.—n.pl. Prim′itive-Meth′odists a religious body founded in 1810 whose beliefs are the same as those of other Methodists but whose working arrangements are nearly Presbyterian.—n. Prim′itiveness.—n.pl. Prim′itive-rocks (see Primary-rocks).
Typist: Veronica
Examples
- This was a very primitive device, requiring several minutes for the engine to make one stroke, but it was the beginning of the practical use of steam as a motive power. Rupert S. Holland. Historic Inventions.
- The shady retreat furnished relief from the garish day to the primitive man, and the opaque shades and Venetian blinds of modern civilization exclude the excess of light at our windows. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- What was the primitive tissue? George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- Recourse to the primitive may furnish the fundamental elements of the present situation in immensely simplified form. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- We seem to want the oldest and simplest human clothing where the clothing of the earth is so primitive. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- The partial statement of natural development takes the primitive powers in an alleged spontaneous development as the end-all. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- As implied in a previous chapter, number relations are not clearly grasped by primitive races. Walter Libby. An Introduction to the History of Science.
- Edison constructed a primitive machine capable of recording and reproducing sounds. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- When this date approaches bands of natives set out from their primitive homes and go, in many instances, hundreds of miles into the forest lowlands. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- All savage and primitive peoples of to-day, on the contrary, are soaked in tradition--the tradition of thousands of generations. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- There were no big land beasts at all; wallowing amphibia and primitive reptiles were the very highest creatures that life had so far produced. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- The grazing of the primitive Aryan was far more important to him than his agriculture. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- The burning logs gave warmth to the cabin and served as a primitive cooking agent; and the smoke which usually accompanies burning bodies was carried away by means of the chimney. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- About 5000 B.C., or earlier, the traces of these primitive peoples cease, and the true Egyptians appear on the scene. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- There is little evidence of the primitive Aryans engaging in religious dances. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
Typist: Thaddeus