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   Prim·i·tive

   /ˈprimədiv/

   

   adjective

   • 1. relating to, denoting, or preserving the character of an early stage in the evolutionary or historical development of something: "primitive mammals" Similar ancientearliestfirstprehistoricantediluvianantiqueprimordialprimevalprimalprimaryloweroriginalproto-ur-rare:autochthonousautochthonicprimigenialOpposite modernrecentdeveloped
   • ▪ relating to or denoting a preliterate, nonindustrial society or culture characterized by simple social and economic organization: "primitive people" Similar preliteratenonindustrialpreindustrialundevelopedindigenousaboriginalsimpleunsophisticatedOpposite advancedliterateindustrial
   • ▪ (of behavior, thought, or emotion) apparently originating in unconscious needs or desires and unaffected by objective reasoning: "the primitive responses we share with many animals"
   • ▪ of or denoting a simple, direct style of art that deliberately rejects sophisticated artistic techniques: "the Fauves saw primitive art as a liberating force" Similar simplenaturalunsophisticatednaiveunaffectedundevelopedchildlikeinnocentartlessunpretentiousuntaughtuntraineduntutoredOpposite sophisticatedrefined
   • 2. having a quality or style that offers an extremely basic level of comfort, convenience, or efficiency: "the accommodations at the camp were a bit primitive" Similar crudesimpleroughbasicelementaryrough-hewnrudimentaryundevelopedunrefinedunsophisticatedruderough and readymakeshiftold-fashionedobsoletearchaicOpposite sophisticatedadvanced
   • 3. not developed or derived from anything else: "the primitive material of the universe"
   • ▪ denoting a word, base, or root from which another is historically derived.
   • ▪ (of an algebraic or geometric expression) from which another is derived, or which is not itself derived from another.
   • 4. (of a part or structure) in the first or early stage of formation or growth; rudimentary.

   noun

   • 1. a person belonging to a preliterate, nonindustrial society: "reports of travelers and missionaries described contemporary primitives"
   • 2. a pre-Renaissance painter.
   • ▪ a modern painter who imitates the pre-Renaissance style.
   • ▪ an artist employing a simple, naive style that deliberately rejects subtlety or conventional techniques: "the Catalan primitives"
   • ▪ a painting by a primitive artist, or an object in a primitive style: "Santa Fe style antiques and Mexican primitives"
   • 3. a word, base, or root from which another is historically derived.
   • ▪ an algebraic or geometric expression from which another is derived; a curve of which another is the polar or reciprocal.
   • ▪ a simple operation or procedure of a limited set from which complex operations or procedures may be constructed, especially a simple geometric shape that may be generated in computer graphics by such an operation or procedure: "the program includes a complete set of drawing primitives"

   Word Origin late Middle English (in the sense ‘original, not derivative’): from Old French primitif, -ive, from Latin primitivus ‘first of its kind’, from primus ‘first’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. primitively adverb
   • 2. primitiveness noun
   • 3. primitivity noun

   Scrabble Points: 16

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2. People also ask

   What is primitive adjective?

   • [usually before noun] (of a feeling or a desire) very strong and not based on reason, as if from the earliest period of human life Definition of primitive adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

   primitive adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/english/primitive_1

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   How many meanings does the word primitive have?

   • There are 39 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word primitive, nine of which are labelled obsolete, and one of which is considered derogatory. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. How common is the word primitive? How is the word primitive pronounced? Where does the word primitive come from?

   primitive, n. & adj. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford English

   www.oed.com/dictionary/primitive_n

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   What does Primitivo mean?

   • primitivo, primitivo/-va… Need a translator? Get a quick, free translation! PRIMITIVE definition: 1. relating to human society at a very early stage of development, with people living in a simple…. Learn more.

   PRIMITIVE | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/learner-english/primitive

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   What does a primitive person mean?

   • simple; undeveloped; unsophisticated. The camp consisted only of primitive cabins with no running water. a human being of a primitive society. an unschooled or self-taught artist. a work of such an artist. primitively (adv.), primitiveness (n.) Primitive comes from a Latin word that means "first or earliest of its kind." The meaning of primitive.

   primitive | Dictionaries and vocabulary tools for English language

   www.wordsmyth.net/?ent=primitive

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3. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definitionprimitive adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and ...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definition

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   Definition of primitive adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

4. dictionary.cambridge.org › primitivePRIMITIVE | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › primitive

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   relating to human society at a very early stage of development, with people living in a simple way without machines or a writing system: primitive man. primitive societies. primitive adjective (BASIC) very basic or old-fashioned: The conditions at the campsite were rather primitive.

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6. www.dictionary.com › browse › primitive&PRIMITIVE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › primitive&

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   Primitive definition: being the first or earliest of the kind or in existence, especially in an early age of the world. See examples of PRIMITIVE used in a sentence.

7. www.oed.com › dictionary › primitive_nprimitive, n. & adj. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford ...

   www.oed.com › dictionary › primitive_n

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   What does the word primitive mean? There are 39 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word primitive , nine of which are labelled obsolete, and one of which is considered derogatory. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

8. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › primitivesPrimitives Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › primitives

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   1. a. : not derived : original, primary. b. : assumed as a basis. especially : axiomatic. primitive concepts. 2. a. : of or relating to the earliest age or period : primeval. the primitive church. b. : closely approximating an early ancestral type : little evolved. primitive mammals. c.

9. www.wordsmyth.netprimitive | Dictionaries and vocabulary tools for English ...

   www.wordsmyth.net

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   Primitive comes from a Latin word that means "first or earliest of its kind." Word Explorer. See. culture. The meaning of primitive. Definition of primitive. English dictionary and integrated thesaurus for learners, writers, teachers, and students with advanced, intermediate, and beginner levels.

10. www.betterwordsonline.com › dictionary › primitivePrimitive - Definition, Meaning, Synonyms, Etymology

    www.betterwordsonline.com › dictionary › primitive

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    It refers to a state or condition that is basic, rudimentary, or undeveloped, often associated with early stages of human civilization or technological advancement. When something is described as primitive, it suggests a lack of refinement, advanced knowledge, or modern conveniences.